Brass, Percussion Ensembles to Perform April 27, 2026

The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Theatre.

The Wayne State College Brass and Percussion Ensembles will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 27, in Ramsey Theatre, located in the Peterson Fine Arts Building. The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert will also be livestreamed. The concert program will be available on the event page, which can be accessed from the Upcoming Livestream Events section on the Watch Live page.

Brass Knuckles Quintet presents the energetic, ragtime-style “Cake Walk” by Claude Debussy; the melancholy jazz standard “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma; the vibrant “Canzona” by Andrea Gabrielli; and the intense emotion of “Two Madrigals” by John Wilbye. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Melissa Derechailo, an instructor in Wayne State’s Department of Music.

Compositions and arrangements by G.E. Holmes comprise the Trumpet Ensemble’s set including the regal “Dignity Fanfare;” the valiant “March of the Men of Harlech;” and the dignified, hymnlike “Sleepers Wake.” The ensemble is directed by Michael Genslinger.

Repertoire performed by the Low Brass Choir includes works composed or arranged by ensemble members. The Low Brass Choir is directed by Dr. Josh Calkin, director of bands at Wayne State.

The Percussion Ensemble features selections specifically for sextet performance, including “Two for Six” by Thomas L. Davis; “Presto” by James Rago; and “Whole-Tone Fantasy” by Thomas O’Connor. The ensemble is directed by Brad Weber, adjunct music faculty member at Wayne State. Eric Snyder, a Wayne State alumnus and retired instrumental music director, serves as a guest conductor and performer.