This semester鈥檚 concert features special guest Chris Thompson, also known as , who will be performing pieces from his album 鈥淢usic Desegregation.鈥�

鈥淢aster Christopher composed the music and lyrics for the album, which aims to blend classical styles and classical percussion instruments with hip-hop,鈥� said Dr. Justin Bunting, director of instrumental activities.

In addition to special guest Master Christopher, the ensemble and band will also be joined by 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock voice, saxophone, and piano students, along with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock string faculty Meredith Maddox Hicks on viola.

The Trojan Steel Band will open the concert with 鈥淛ean & Dinah,鈥� 鈥淛amaican Farewell,鈥� 鈥淪teampipe Rhumba,鈥� 鈥淭ry Jah Love,鈥� and 鈥淚 Melt With You.鈥�

Pieces featured in the Percussion Ensemble portion of the concert are:

• 鈥淗umming Chorus鈥�
• 鈥淭he Gospel鈥�
• 鈥淔别补谤濒别蝉蝉鈥�
• 鈥淐aged Birds The Most Heard鈥�
• 鈥凌别惫别濒补迟颈辞苍蝉鈥�
• 鈥淢补蝉迟别谤辫濒补苍鈥�

Admission to the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Bunting at .

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Spring Percussion Concert to Feature Guest Artist Master Christopher appeared first on News.

Both the Percussion Ensemble and the Trojan Steel Band are directed by Dr. Justin Bunting, the music program鈥檚 Director of Instrumental Activities in the School of Literary and Performing Arts.

鈥淭hese students have worked hard to prepare our largest program since my arrival in Fall 2019,鈥� Bunting said. 鈥淭he Percussion Ensemble portion of the concert consists of six pieces representing a wide variety of percussion repertoire. We are excited to showcase the diversity of the percussion ensemble genre, as well as the talents of our students.鈥�

Works to be performed include 鈥淥pening Remarks,鈥� a marimba quartet by Jeffrey Dennis Smith, 鈥淒rums of Moria鈥� by Nathan Daughtrey, and 鈥渕emory鈥� by Evan Chapman for children鈥檚 desk bells (emulating a wind chime) and live, electronic accompaniment.

The program will also include 鈥淢补蝉迟别谤辫濒补苍鈥� and 鈥淔别补谤濒别蝉蝉鈥� by Chris Thompson, also known as Master Christopher. These two pieces are a preview of the ensemble’s March 2024 concert where Thompson’s album “Music Desegregation” will be presented with Thompson on stage as both a guest artist and soloist.

The Trojan Steel Band will close the concert with a mix of tunes including “Mary Anne,鈥� a traditional soca tune by Roaring Lion, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” originally by Elvis Presley, and “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.

鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 like Steel Band music?鈥� Bunting said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to listen to and, perhaps, even more fun to play. This group is musically challenging but also a way to put aside your stress and enjoy playing these beautiful instruments. You will see students rotating from one type of steel drum to another between tunes. This is because I want as diverse of a learning, and musical, experience as possible for them.鈥�

Admission to the event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Bunting at jbunting@ualr.edu.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to Host Fall Percussion Concert Nov. 2 appeared first on News.

The Spring Percussion Concert will include performances by the Percussion Ensemble with special guests Dr. Andy Smith of the University of Texas at El Paso and Blue Line Duo (Justin and Cassie Bunting).

The Percussion Ensemble will perform 鈥淕et Hyped!鈥� by Angela Kepley, 鈥淪hell鈥� by Emma O’Halloran, 鈥淜ibo鈥� by Andrea Venet with Dr. Smith as a guest soloist, 鈥淰ertical River鈥� by Blake Tyson, and the world premiere of 鈥淒aily Grind鈥� by Dr. Justin Bunting,鈥� professor of percussion at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Dr. Smith and Blue Line Duo will perform 鈥淐atching Shadows鈥� by Ivan Trevino.

The Trojan Steel Band will perform two tunes: “Underneath the Mango Tree,” a traditional calypso tune, and “Save Your Tears” by the Weeknd. The concert will close with an arrangement of the traditional West African rhythm, 鈥淒jole.鈥�

It will be a weekend full of percussion fun as 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will also host its second annual Percussion Day on Saturday, April 22. The event will bring high school percussionists from around the state to campus for a free day of performances and clinics.

Groups from Springdale Har-Ber High School, The Academies of West Memphis, and Star City High School will perform during Percussion Day. Students will also have the opportunity to receive instruction and feedback and attend clinics by guest artist Dr. Smith and Dr. Bunting.

The day will also include free literature, materials, and door prizes from some of the most recognizable percussion companies in the world. Interested high school seniors can audition for the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Music Program while they are on campus.

Those interested in attending 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Percussion Day can .

For more information on these events, contact Dr. Bunting at jbunting@ualr.edu.

The post 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to Host Weekend Featuring Percussion Ensemble Concert, Percussion Day appeared first on News.