Published Thursday, April 11th, 2024
The concert, free and open to the public, is at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Theatre.
The Wayne State College Brass and Percussion Ensembles present a fusion of diverse music styles at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, in Ramsey Theatre, located in the Peterson Fine Arts Building. The concert is free and open to the public.
It will also be livestreamed. To view the livestream, go to www.wsc.edu/watch-live. The program will be accessible by selecting the event from the Music Events list at www.wsc.edu/music.
The Brass Knuckles Quintet opens the concert with varied repertoire, including the intense Dixieland tune “That’s A Plenty” by Lew Pollack and a Canadian Brass arrangement of Giovanni Gabrieli’s “Canzona per Sonare.” The ensemble is directed by Dr. Melissa Derechailo, instructor of horn, music history, music theatre history, and music industry at Wayne State.
The Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Michael Genslinger, follows with the regal “Dignity Fanfare” by G.E. Holmes, the satirical “Hail Poetry” from “The Pirates of Penzance” by Arthur Sullivan, and the patriotic “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius. The Low Brass Choir, directed by Dr. Josh Calkin, performs early 20th century American hymns by Black and women composers. Genslinger is an instructor of music and assistant director of bands at Wayne State, and Calkin is a professor of music and director of bands.
The Percussion Ensemble, directed by Brad Weber, concludes the concert. Selections display the diversity of percussion instruments through the energy of “Pharoah’s Pursuit” by Brian Bailey, the Afro-Cuban rhythm of “Clave and Sons” by Eric Rath, and the striking beauty of “Prelude in E Minor” by Frederic Chopin. Eric Snyder, a Wayne State alumnus and retired instrumental music director, serves as snare drum soloist and guest conductor. Weber is an adjunct faculty of percussion at Wayne State.
For more information, contact the Wayne State Department of Music at 402-375-7359.