Iowa Percussion is one of the earliest & most energetic percussion programs in the nation, created in 1958 when Iowa hired Thomas L. Davis as the first teacher of percussion. In 1996 Dr. Daniel Moore became the second professor when you look at the program's history.
Ensembles have provided the stage with outstanding performers such alumni Steven Schick, Yousif Sheronick, and John Wooton, and Mike Mainieri, Matt Wilson, Mat Britain, Johnny Rabb, Renzo Spiteri, Anders Åstrand, Ray Holman, Dick Sisto, Liam Teague, Mat Britain, Andrew Spencer, Jiao Shan Lin, Daniella Ganeva, Jimmy Finnie, Robert Chappell, and J.C. Combs. Iowa Percussion has actually sponsored recitals and clinics by notable musicians such as Dave Samuels, Gary Burton and Chick Corea, Stefon Harris, Keiko Kotoku, Kai Stensgaard, Daniella Ganeva, Richard L. “Dick” Schory, alumnus Nick Petrella, Robert Breithaupt, James Campbell, Brett Kuhn, Julia Gaines, alumnus Lee Ferguson’s Duo Contour, the Sylvia Smith Duo, the U.S. Army Old Guard, and Maraca2.
Iowa Percussion ensembles have performed across the condition additionally the Midwest, in Asia, as well as two Percussive Arts community Overseas Conventions.
Iowa Percussion Ensemble
The Iowa Percussion Ensemble does a selection of literary works for the endlessly adjustable medium of percussion ensemble. From duos, trios, and quartets to huge works well with over twenty people, the group delves into many diverse and interesting musical designs from modern to jazz and world songs. The ensemble on a regular basis premieres brand-new works well with percussion by composers such as Pulitzer reward winner and Iowa alumnus David Lang, United states music symbol Robert Moran, in addition to enigmatic banjo-playing Paul Elwood. Moran described the premiere of his structure Stirling: It is Raining Cats and Dogs as ". . . one of several finest activities of every of my ratings during my whole job."
The group has taped two CDs, Jungle Fever and just take Me to Your commander, and their particular share to Mantra, a CD associated with music of Robert Moran from the Innova label, obtained excellent reviews. Iowa Percussion is currently working on a CD of Moranis important graphic ratings associated with the sixties and seventies for a NAXOS label release.
Iowa Percussion features examined Chinese drumming in Beijing and executes on their considerable assortment of Chinese devices. They even explore African drumming, Brazilian samba, steel band, and improvised and digital percussion.
Graduate Percussion Ensemble
The Iowa scholar Percussion Ensemble had been formed in the 1980s by Iowa Percussion alumnus Steven Schick as a method to examine more complex contemporary and repertory music for percussion. Ranging in size from four to six people (graduate many undergraduate), the group works separately to program and prepare repertoire based on the passions of specific performers.
PanAmerican Steel Band
The University of Iowa's PanAmerican Steel Band could very well be more acknowledged percussion group on campus. They perform frequently throughout Iowa and the Midwest through UI Arts Share system. The band features two CDs with their credit: everywhereCalypsoand Noise Brigade. Aside from the annual Percussion amazing, they appear at activities sponsored by UI Cancer Survivors, United states Heart Association, UI Dance Marathon, United method of Johnson County, The Belin-Blank Honors Center, and many others. They have been the featured performers for Compeer of Johnson County's Sounds of Friendship fundraising concert for five associated with the final seven years. Each summertime they present a very popular show at F.W. Kent Park to an enthusiastic market.