Rowan University Band’s Fall Showing of 2024 withstood a strong, upbeat tone for the opener, from greeting the audience with a warm welcome to bringing a blend of chamber music to Brazilian and Californian influences. The show began with Austin Wrinkle’s infamous “Wart Hog” with a rather upbeat drumming, a suspenseful tone, and a rather synchronized beat. The piece itself had a tribal tone to it. Then, ending with the drummer’s back-and-forth playing solo.

Proceeding to the same vibration of music and all the instruments coming together upbeat, with a louder beat and faster synchronization. Next was a warm reintroduction to the audience of Dr.Fabio Oliveira explaining background knowledge of Wart Hog and the next piece which was Calangaboicoco. Dr. Fabio Oliveira put a personal emphasis considering his Brazilian background, explaining to the audience the South-Eastern Brazilian composer Jayme Vignoli and the creativity of the name Calangaboicoco.

“The Cala part of it means cattle and the Coco is a dueling piece, in regards to a couple of instrumental parts that create an intense feel for the music,” said director Dr. Fabio Oliveira.  

Many audience members’ reactions to Calangaboiococo were motioning their heads as the xylophone and drums were in a synchronized back and forth composing a dramatic piece. As they felt the suspenseful rhythmic tones and tempos.

Along with a sort of scrapping sound played by a drummer, ending with a dramatic finish of the xylophone and drums. The small ensemble projected a loud powerful piece, almost an eerie tone of melody, staying in sync at all times with one another. All the performances given that night showed the audience just how closely the Percussion Ensemble came together.

 Sophomore and percussionist Stephen Craven from the Percussion Ensemble talked about his experience.

“My favorite part of putting this performance together was being with other musicians who shared a similar passion for playing music and growing closer together with the ensemble,” said Craven. 

Following came Carlos Tort’s Correndo Em Goios translated to “Running In Goios” the piece that was originally intended for flutists and percussionists. Beginning with the version performed, three percussionists play the xylophones with a soft upbeat melody harmoniously.

Two in a lower rhythmic tone, while the third created a more soft beat. Concluding with a synchronized lively beat. Next Steve Reich’s Mallet Quartet is a three-movement piece that starts with two percussionists playing rhythmically the xylophones. Strongly thereafter the third percussionist joins, and then the fourth syncs with the third percussionist at a lower frequency.

All four percussionists play tempos back and forth while momentarily pausing and continuously repeating until it becomes a lowered harmonica beat with all four percussionists, finishing back into a soothing and rather serene piece. Thereafter performed Anthony DiBatolo’s Music For 5 Marimbas in which he had the opportunity to work with students and is considered a unique piece that was composed. 

Starting with two xylophones and then syncretizing with five percussionists. As it has a slow beat in the beginning then gradually increases in volume and tone, creating a suspenseful vibration again going very fast in speed and suspense. Then gradually slowing down, creating that same ominous tone becoming louder and louder. Ending in a suspenseful loud frequency tone.

To end off, David Mancini’s Suite for Solo Drumset and Percussion Ensemble began with strong drums and a very lively beat. In came the xylophones and this composed of a slow melody. Then, the tune back with a suspenseful beat and high pitch on the drums.

Having the lead drummer Mangus Bennett as a soloist starts upbeat, going slowly and faster rhythmically. Creating a loud sound and vibration ending with a very upbeat sound from the drummer and all the percussionists. Mangus discussed how hard everyone worked. 

“Everyone that was once strangers to one another, join together as one big family to create this beautiful sound of music as a small ensemble,” said Mangus Bennett.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email arts@thewhitonline.com