Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: BLM caught in the middle over forest policy ... Are smoky skies the new normal for the Rogue Valley? ... Since You Asked: 1983 building collapse affected three businesses ... Our View: BLM caught in the middle over forest policy ... Are smoky skies the new normal for the Rogue Valley? ... Since You Asked: 1983 building collapse affected three businesses ... MUSIC SOU presents all-percussion concert Artistic scores to be paired with music Performers in an all-percussion concert will mix art with music. The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble had artistic musical scores manufactured onto their drum heads for the concert, titled "Contact!" Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:53 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:53 PM » Social News Performers in an all-percussion concert on Friday night will mix art with music. The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble had artistic musical scores manufactured onto their drum heads for the concert, titled "Contact!" Cameras will catch the action and project it before the audience as the performers use the artwork to pound and tap out music. A row of dots, for example, that grows from small to large could be interpreted by a performer as inspiration to beat out a crescendo, says Terry Longshore, director of the ensemble and an SOU faculty member. Typical musical scores give performers relatively precise instructions on how to play music, although there's always room for interpretation. The artistic scores used by the ensemble leave much more room for improvisation, Longshore says. "The scores are graphic pieces of art," he says. "The performers will use them as inspiration to interpret the music in creative ways." The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in the Music Recital Hall on the Southern Oregon University campus, off South Mountain Avenue, Ashland. Tickets cost $10, $5 for seniors, and can be purchased at the box office in the music hall between noon and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or two hours before the performance. Tickets also can be purchased online at sou.edu/performingarts or by calling 541-552-6348. Full-time students get in free. Discounts will be offered to SOU alumni, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute participants and SNAP and Oregon Trail card holders. With so much improvisation going on in the SOU Percussion Ensemble concert, Longshore said order is maintained by having one person lead at a time, with performers taking turns in the leadership role. The concert features music from around the globe. "Music for the percussion instruments comes from all over the world. There are Asian, African, pop, rock and classical influences," Longshore says. "The pop and rock will be integrated throughout the concert. Many of us come from that background." While most people think of drums when they hear the word percussion, a wide variety of instruments will be showcased, including concert marimbas, which are related to xylophones. "We'll have an arsenal of instruments on stage. Each person will be playing three to 20 instruments during the concert," Longshore says of the 18-person SOU Percussion Ensemble. "The logistics of handling the instruments is an art form in itself." The concert strategy is to minimize any downtime when instruments have to be moved around, thus ensuring the continuity and flow of the event, he says. Longshore says variety is part of what draws students to percussion. "They have the chance to play a lot of different instruments. There's also the inherent physicality of percussion. If you think of how people's attention is drawn to drums, you see it's a naturally dramatic instrument to play," he says. Longshore says the concert will give people the opportunity to hear local musicians play many pieces written by local composers. "Percussion performers have a brotherhood with composers. There's a long tradition in the percussion world of being willing to take on new challenges," he says. "I like to encourage that by giving it a venue." The concert will feature "The Rebel Frog Wassails" and "Contactual Constellations" by SOU adjunct instructor and SOU music program alumnus Bryan Jeffs. Longshore characterizes "The Rebel Frog Wassails" as "Frank Zappa meets Christmas music." Traditional holiday classics given a new spin at the concert will include "Jingle Bells," "Oh, Holy Night" and — of course — "Little Drummer Boy." Longshore says the variety of instruments, projections of the artistic scores and mix of musical styles will create a dynamic, innovative experience. "It's something anyone can enjoy — whether they are a musician or not," he says. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:53 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501