With the recording of numerous percussion pieces, the Baker University percussion ensemble may now be heard far and wide and, of course, at the fall concert Saturday.
Music instructors across the country may hear the ensemble thanks to a recording instigated by Adjunct Instructor of Music Steve Riley. Riley compiled a collection of percussion pieces published by C. Alan Publications, and when the publication company wanted audio versions of some of the pieces, the Baker percussion ensemble was the group to make it happen.
“Every year, they put out a sampler CD of new music,” he said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to show the Baker community what the ensemble has been up to.”
Riley said the ensemble did the recordings at Baker last spring.
“We set up in McKibbin (Recital Hall), and Steve brought his equipment, and we ran through the pieces a couple of times each,” senior Barbara Ludwig said. “We had been practicing them forever, and we knew that day was the recording day. “
Senior Collin Thomas recognized the unique opportunity the ensemble had.
“It was kind of exciting,” Thomas said. “Steve had worked on that piece for about three years, I think. It was an honor to ask us to record his piece.”
The ensemble’s work did not end with the recording last spring. The fall concert is 3:30 p.m. Saturday in McKibbin. Riley said one of the highlights of the concert will be a work composed by Thomas.
“We will be premiering a piece by Collin Thomas,” Riley said. “He’s a student composer who’s had quite a bit of success here.”
Thomas said he wrote the piece, “Eternity Ladder,” about a year and a half ago.
“It’s based off a very steady motif that is metaphoric for the symbolic ladder that goes through the piece,” he said.
The recital will also include a duet by Thomas and senior Daniel Colwell.
“Collin was voted outstanding music performer, and Daniel was voted outstanding music major, and I thought it was a great chance for them to perform together,” Riley said.
Thomas said the duet is selections of Bela Bartok’s violin duets.
“We’re going this one a little bit unconventionally because I’m going to be playing the marimba while he’s playing the violin,” Thomas said.
Thomas is graduating in December.
“I’m really sad that this is my last one,” he said. “After every single performance I have had with this group, I have been so satisfied with the outcome, and I feel like I have really grown as a player.”