Southern Miss Percussion Ensemble Presents Multi-Style Concert April 20

The University of Southern Mississippi Percussion Ensemble will present a free concert at 7:30 p.m. April 20 at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on the Hattiesburg campus. 

The Percussion Ensemble, which includes all the percussion groups at Southern Miss, will be playing several pieces in various styles including jazz, classical and tango.

Specific works include “Verano Porteño” by Astor Piazzolla, “Omphalo Centric Lecture” by Nigel Westlake, “Meriad” by Mike Myers and “Caravan” by Juan Tizol, arranged by Dr. John Wooton, director of percussion studies at Southern Miss. The group will also perform Tom Gauger's “Gainsborough,” which is a staple in percussion repertoire.

“Making appearances at this concert will be the Latin Percussion Lab (Salsa), Samba Band (Brazilian drum line), Graduate Marimba Ensemble and Concert Percussion Ensemble,” said Wooton.

“This concert is unique in the sense that it truly has something for everyone to enjoy,” said Andy Gilstrap, percussion doctoral student from Wichita, Kansas.

The Samba Band will close out the concert. “If that doesn't get your feet moving, there's something wrong with you,” said Wooton. “This concert won't disappoint.”

The Percussion Ensemble recently performed at the Percussive Arts Society, Mississippi Chapter Day of Percussion on April 2 at Jackson State University. Colleges all over Mississippi, including Mississippi State University, Jones County Junior College, Ole Miss, and Northwest Community College also performed.

For information about percussion studies at Southern Miss or the 2011 Summer Drummin' Summer Camps, visit http://johnwooton.com/.