Fans of Warner Brothers cartoons will hear some familiar tunes Sunday at Kenyon’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert, the first of three ensemble performances in April. The other concerts will feature the Chinese Music Ensemble and the Percussion Ensemble.
The wind ensemble concert, directed by Professor of Music Dane Heuchemer, will feature works by two composers of the 20th century: Arnold Schoenberg's Theme and Variations for Band and William Grant Still's Folk Suite for Band. The percussion section will be featured in Raymond Scott's “Powerhouse,” a work that served as an idea catalyst for cartoon music composers in the 1930s and 40s.
The Chinese Music Ensemble’s concert will be the final concert under the direction of Mei Han, who is finishing her time as a visiting assistant professor of Asian music and culture. The concert will feature an assortment of large ensemble and smaller group performances of traditional and contemporary Chinese compositions. Composer Randy Raine-Reusch, a visiting lecturer of music, joins the ensemble to play a rare wind instrument from southern China.
At the last concert, hand clapping and foot stomping will be featured in one piece performed by the percussionists, directed by Cary Dachtyl, adjunct instructor of percussion. The body percussion piece by Murray Houllif is called “Rapcha.”
Two works for marimba quartet also will be performed, and the group will play “One-Eyed Jacks” by Mark Ford, a contemporary percussion ensemble piece that features unusual sound effects.
Symphonic Wind: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, in Rosse Hall Auditorium.
Chinese Music: 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in Brandi Recital Hall in Storer Hall.
Percussion: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, in Rosse Hall Auditorium.