The ETSU Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Matthew Geiger and Logan Ball, will showcase an hour of drumming and music on Nov. 3 in Mathes Recital Hall at 3 p.m.
As an assistant professor of percussion at East Tennessee State University, Geiger has experience in both the study and performance of orchestral percussion, solo and chamber repertoire, timpani, drum set and world music.
Prior to ETSU, Geiger taught at Morehead State University in Kentucky, serving as visiting assistant professor of jazz and percussion. He completed his bachelor’s degree in music performance and doctorate of musical arts at the University of Kentucky, with an additional master’s degree in percussion performance at the University of Michigan.
Ball is a percussionist and educator residing in Johnson City. He is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree in percussion performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ball completed a master’s degree in percussion performance at the University of Tennessee Ball. He currently serves as a lecturer of percussion and the marching percussion director at East Tennessee State University.
This ensemble will be diverse. It includes music that was written almost 100 years ago, as well as music written within the past three years. There will be music featuring just drums, as well as music featuring just a keyboard ensemble, to highlight the variety of timbres percussion instruments offer. The closer of the ensemble, “Just in Time,” was composed by ETSU student Justin Rayna.
“We program music that helps to demonstrate the students’ diverse abilities, while also emphasizing the expressive, powerful nature of our instruments,” Geiger said.
Along with traditional instruments like snare drums, bass drums, marimbas, xylophones and vibraphones, the ensemble will include a solo xylophone, a solo vibraphone, a lion’s roar, a cuica, shakers, log drums, drum set and more.
“This percussion ensemble concert will be exciting from the very beginning, Geiger said. “We include a military drumming tribute kicking off the afternoon, followed by various works that go back and forth from melodic material to in-your-face drumming.”
Admission is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.
“This concert not only to supports our students, but it also allows the public to hear things that you have never heard before,” Ball said. “We are very proud of the hard work and dedication our students have put into making this concert come to life, and we’d love to share it with you. “
