Percussion Ensemble gets loud

The Troy University Percussion Ensemble drummed its way into the evening last Sunday in a concert that drew a crowd. 

The concert, prepared by professor of music Dr. Timothy Blackstock, featured five pieces, some with multiple movements: 

Telisi Odyssey – Russell Hartenberger 

1. Kumansi 

2. Kerala 

Toccata – Carlos Chavez 

Not Far From Here – Blake Tyson 

Willow* – Michael Burritt 

*Zytori Conner, marimba 

G-Spot Tornado* – Frank Zappa, arr. Doug Wallace 

*Special Guests: Dominique Tayloy, drumset; David Kinter, electric bass 

The ensemble spent many hours preparing for the concert.  Zytori Conner, a junior from Saraland, Alabama, majoring in music education, spoke about the preparation that goes into a typical percussion concert. 

“We meet three days a week to practice,” Conner said. “Dr. Blackstock usually puts out a schedule of the pieces that we’re running in the week, and we just come prepared, and we work hard and put on the concert.  

“We show up and we learn, [Dr. Blackstock] sends us our reference recordings, and we go back and we listen to them. We don't replicate them, but we try to understand what [the musicians] did and see what we can put our Trojan pride on.” 

Not only does a concert require large amounts of preparation, but also an extreme amount of concentration. 

“It takes tons of concentration,” Conner said. “I mean, from the start to the end, if anybody just stops to think about, oh, pretty flowers on a wall, then, you know, stuff can turn around and go bad, so it takes a lot of concentration, a lot of focus.  

“But luckily, me and my pals here, we do a great job of keeping it all together.” 

This focus comes with a lot of trust in their fellow ensemble members. 

“You’ve got to stay locked in,” said Madison Marler, a junior from Phenix City, Alabama, majoring in music education. “We had to move setups every single piece, so it takes a lot of concentration, determination and perseverance.  

“You're going to get frustrated; that's the thing about ensemble – you can't be independent. You're always dependent on somebody.” 

The pieces played at the concert were meant to evoke many emotions, not just for the audience, but for the ensemble as well. 

“Me personally, I try to feel the piece,” Conner said. “The audience cannot really perceive [the emotion] if you don't perceive it first, so we try to feel it.” 

The Troy Percussion Ensemble encourages anyone to join. 

“You don't have to be a good percussionist to join; you don't even have to be a percussionist,” Marler said. “Dr. Blackstock makes everyone feel welcome.  

“He gives you pieces based on your personality and how you are and how you're developing in percussion, so reach out, join, and come to the next concert.” 

The next percussion concert will be in the spring semester.