“Let’s get started,” Mr. Vasquez, the percussion director, announced to the eight players standing in front of him.
The players were practicing for the upcoming percussion ensemble concert in May. The group consisted of freshmen, sophomores, a junior and a senior. They practiced a piece called “Power Struggle” by Nathan Daughtrey, a fast-paced piece consisting of instruments from bass drum to marimbas (long, wooden keyboards), and a series of solos accompanied by other players in the background.
“How do I do this?” freshman Connor Lusk asked, while pointing to his music, “It’s a note, followed by a squiggly line.”
Vasquez then grabbed the mallets and demonstrated how to perform a glissando. The technique requires the player to strike a note, then drag the other mallet up or down the keyboard, then strike another note, creating a falling or rising effect. It sounds like someone sliding their hand up or down a piano.
“We’re going too slow,” junior Moses Gonzalez said.
Percussion ensembles have several moving parts and take time to perfect. The process is tedious and every note has to be played correctly in order to maintain balance across the ensemble. Ensembles will practice after school until the performance in May.
Along with “Power Struggle”, a few other pieces will be performed.
Other ensembles that will be played at the concert:
“Rochambeaux” by Brian Mason
“Sharpened Stick” by Brett William Dietz
“Eye Irascible” by Steve Riley
“Escape Velocity” by Dave Hall
As well as a few others that have yet to be announced.
