If you’re in the mood for a good rhythm this weekend, then look no further than the Gustavus Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert being held this Sunday, April 26, in Bjorling Recital Hall at 1:30 p.m.
The director of this talented group is Paul Hill, the Adjunct Instructor in Music at Gustavus.
Since graduating from the University of MN-Twin Cities in 2000 with a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance, Hill has become an active freelance percussionist and teacher in the Twin Cities, and Twin Ports areas.
He has experience performing for the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Winnipeg Symphony, and many local theaters including the Guthrie, Children’s Theater, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Hill and the Ensemble have spent their time preparing for this performance to demonstrate their appreciation for the art.
“We have a single 50 minute rehearsal each week,” Hill said. “I’ve been adjunct Percussion Instructor for over 10 years, and teach lessons as well as conduct the Percussion Ensemble. We like the variety of playing percussion. There are hundreds of instruments in the percussion family, and nearly every piece uses a different combination.”
Junior Biology and Psychology double major Matt Broschard is a former member of the Percussion Ensemble and continues to work on his music in lessons with Hill.
“I appreciate Paul’s versatility. With percussion, many of the challenges become choosing the right mallets or the placement of instruments when multiple instruments are involved. He can pull from many years of experience to provide the most efficient options that sound the best,” Broschard said.
One of the pieces Hill is excited to have the Ensemble play is called Giles, by Evelyn Glennie. Glennie is a Scottish percussionist/composer that is partially deaf but has brought the profession of playing percussion into greater popularity. Not only does Hill want to entertain Gusties, but he also hopes to inspire others to join this group.
“The goal of the percussion ensemble is to give an opportunity to anyone that is interested in percussion, a chance to be a part of an organized group that works towards one performance per semester – and perform at the highest level that we can,” Hill said. “The ensemble is open to all students. We currently have five members, but have had up to 20. When we have that many, we split the players into smaller groups.”
The five current members of the Percussion Ensemble are Kelsey Harms, Dan Kimlinger, Corey Larson, Sophia Lyseng, and Michael McKenzie. Harms is a Junior Health Fitness Major with a minor in Biology, who had an abundance of experience performing percussion before attending Gustavus, and has continued performing here.
“I have been doing percussion since fifth grade,” Harms said. “Started by learning from my grandpa that still plays in bands at 85. I joined Percussion Ensemble to be able to play all types of percussion instruments in an ensemble instead of just one or two in most groups.”
Harms appreciates how the set for this concert allows her to do have that versatility.
“I’m excited for our concert because we are doing a drum line type piece with all five of us on snare drum, an all timpani piece, a couple only mallet piece, with a solo feature from our conductor, and a piece will all types of percussion,” Harms said.
The variety of instruments and styles used in the Percussion Ensemble’s Spring Concert will give listeners a unique musical experience that is both enjoyable and informative.
Junior Physics major, Danny Kimlinger, has been in the ensemble for three years.
“Personally, I feel I am able to really exercise my artistic side by being in the group. Most of my classes are math and physics so it can be a nice change of pace to play music once a week,” Kimlinger said.
“People should come to this performance because it will be fun. Percussion instruments are unique and cool to listen to and people who come to the concert will get to see many different types of instruments,” Harms said.
-Brady Lass