Percussion Ensemble & Jazz Band Concert, feat. Henry Brun

On March 8th, we had our annual Percussion Ensemble Concert. This year, because of the timing of things, we decided to add our Jazz Band onto the same program and "kill" the proverbial "two birds." I wasn't sure how I'd like it (you know me... always questioning efficiency), but it turned out great and I'm pretty sure we'll be planning on using this format again next year.

So, knowing that we were going to run both groups that night, I started looking for a guest artist we could bring in that would play with both groups. I was given Henry Brun's name from Staci Stokes at Promark and proceeded to book the date with him. From the outset, he was very cool to talk to -- down to earth and real. The last thing I need or any of the students need is someone who thinks far too much of themselves and has all sorts of high maintanance requests and needs!

When Henry got to town, it was very apparent that he was going to fall into the category of "easy-going." Thank the Lord! I put enough stress on myself with the concert, that I don't need a Prima Dona to take care of on top of that!

The students really warmed up to Henry and he was very good with them. He got to meet with all of the percussion students from grades 6-12 at least a little and I think it was good for them to meet someone who has made a living being a percussionist.

On the concert, there were three sections: Percussion Ensemble by themselves, Perc Ens with Henry (INTERMISSION), then Jazz Band with Henry.

Thanks to Frances, here are some pictures from the evening. There are way too many to post here, so I'll try to pick out only the very best ones!



Mushroom Soup, I think.

Cameron lays down a fat groove on marimba (yes, it's possible!).

Tyler imparts words of wisdom on Corey. Ah! Who are we kidding? I know they're just reciting lines from Talladega Nights...


Doomsday Machine!


Jasmine and Amanda finish up playing their bass drums on Oye Como Va! Hey, Amanda: "New bass drums!"


How does Corey keep ending up in these pictures?


Gratuitous picture of myself... Frances really captured my essence: glowing eyes and all.


Nick Scales lays down a fat groove on bass (EVERYONE, knows that's possible!).

The rhythm section trifecta: Nick, Henry and Tyler, while Aaron looks on (or counts rest).


Carissa improvises!


Group shot!
Yeah, saxes!


Are those super-bones? Who let those baritone players in here?!? (Janie, pictured closest, is legit).


Tyler drives the band.


seven. Seven. SEVEN Glorious Trumpet! Which one will take it up an octave?Group shot! Hey, is that Corey again?!?




Henry and Nick discuss the new Stagg up-right electric bass. Right out of the box!

Alumni Percussion Ensemble

In January, Dr. Susan Martin Tariq hosted an Alumni Percussion Ensemble for all former West Texas A&M (WTSU) students to participate in. Not only did I get to catch up with a number of guys I went to school with, but I also got to meet a lot of the students we had only heard stories of. And even though there were some pretty wide ranges of ages and experiences, we all came together in our shared love of percussion and our mutual respect for Dr. Tariq.

If only I had had the forethought to take pictures throughout the weekend, this blog would be more complete. But I didn't think about taking my camera to the rehearsals on Saturday morning and afternoon or the party Saturday night where we all took turns playing drums in a jazz trio (I waited to play until practically everyone had left... "did Joe Woolsey leave? Okay, I'll play.")

Anyhow, here are several pictures I took from before our concert on Sunday afternoon. I won't give each one a caption -- they are pretty self-explanatory.