CU Steel Band performs in a demonstration at last year’s Percussion Ensemble Festival. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ashley Wilson)
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University’s School of Music invites youto the second annual CU Percussion Ensemble Festival on Saturday, April 6 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Gosser Fine Arts Center, located on CU’s campus at 210 University Drive, Campbellsville.
This day-long event will feature percussion fundamental clinics, recitals, and ensemble performances by several high school percussion ensembles from across the state as well as host performances by the Campbellsville University Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band.
The admission fee is $5, which includes all-day access to the activities. The event is open to the public.
Dr. Chad Floyd, assistant professor of music at Campbellsville University and organizer of the event, said, “The percussion festival is a great event for percussion enthusiasts or even someone who just enjoys music. With the clinics, concerts, recitals and door prizes, there is something for everyone.”
Schedule of Events:
10 a.m. — Drum set fundamentals
Noon — Student recital
12:35 p.m. – CU Steel Band performance
1 p.m. – Concert percussion fundamentals
2 p.m. – Featured clinician, Dr. Eric Willie
5 p.m. – Evening concert by high school percussion ensembles
7:30 p.m. – CU Percussion Ensemble performance
Dr. Eric Willie, guest clinician from Tennessee Tech University, will present the featured clinic in the afternoon. In addition, fundamental clinics will be presented earlier in the day by Kyle Duke, a 2008 graduate of Campbellsville University, and Nathan Wilkerson, a 2011 graduate of Campbellsville University.
Willie holds a doctorate in musical arts from University of North Texas, a master of music from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor of science in music education from Austin Peay University. His arrangements have been performed by the University of North Texas, University of Kentucky and Murray State University drum lines. He has also served on faculty for the Bands of America World Percussion Symposium.
Several ensembles from across the state will have the opportunity to be privately critiqued by Willie. In addition, the high school percussion ensembles will each perform a mini-concert in The Gheens Recital Hall as part of the culminating concert later that night.
Door prizes will be given away throughout the day. Prizes last year included cymbals, wind chimes, practice pads, posters, sticks, mallets, hats, shirts, method books, and many other percussion-related items.
The event is sponsored by Black Swamp Percussion, Innovative Percussion, Inc., Sabian, Dynasty, Evans and Campbellsville University’s School of Music.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.