Contact: Maridith Geuder
Traditional West African dance music will be among international pieces highlighted in a Monday [Nov. 3] percussion concert at Mississippi State.
The university's Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of music education instructor Robert J. Damm, presents the free performance at 7:30 p.m. in the McComas Hall theater.
Among selections will be "Atenteben," based on three dance pieces from Ghana. Accompanying the percussionists on this number will be the Mississippi State Flute Choir directed by assistant professor Lana Johns.
Non-African pieces will include "Overture to a Catfish," written by resident composer Mark Applebaum; "Battle Stations II"; a medley of Russian folk songs; "Toccata," a classic by Mexican composer Carlos Chaves; and "Head Talk," a rock-samba for drums alone.
Computer science graduate student Manoj S. Apte performs as soloist on "Palta," a worked based on a traditional style of his native India.
The program concludes with the percussion ensemble collaboration with the university's Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Men's Choir in a performance of "Africa," a popular song by the rock band Toto.
Founded in 1995, the Percussion Ensemble has performed for numerous concerts, workshops, demonstrations, and festivals throughout the state. The group also has been showcased on Mississippi ETV's "Southern Expressions."
For more information on the program, telephone (601) 325-3070.