Evening of Percussion Debuts New Music, Features Student Composer

Gamelan Bintang Wahyu member Dallin Frank wrote a piece inspired by a study abroad to Bali last year Three School of Music percussion ensembles — Panoramic Steel, directed by Darren Bastian; Percussion Ensemble, directed by Matt Coleman; and Gamelan Bintang Wahyu, directed by Jeremy Grimshaw — will share the stage for an April 13 concert. This semester’s Evening of Percussion marks the second Panoramic Steel concert for new faculty member Bastian. “I love working with the students and I love the energy they bring to a performance,” he said. “The group is loaded with talent and personality. It is also fun to be working on innovative new music.” In addition to traditional Calypso music, the ensemble will perform a new work for steel band by Andy Akiho titled “Alloy.” “This piece departs from the traditional Trinidadian sound of a steel band and turns the ensemble into a powerful sonic force,” said Bastian. “It includes all the traditional steel drums, with the addition of extended techniques to produce a multitude of new sounds. The result is a captivating palette of sound unlike anything else.”    Dallin Frank, a member of the Balinese Gamelan ensemble, is excited for the creativity and energy all three ensembles consistently bring to the semi-annual concert.   “I’m looking forward to hearing what all of the different ensembles have prepared,” said Frank. “There is always a wide variety of music styles stemming from different backgrounds. Everyone involved has put in a lot of work toward making it happen, so I can’t wait to hear what’s in store!” This semester’s performance is particularly significant to Frank, as the Gamelan ensemble will perform a piece that he wrote after participating in BYU’s study abroad program in Bali last year. The song was inspired by photographs from the trip and serves as Frank’s farewell to the ensemble as he approaches graduation. “I set out to write a piece to encapsulate the feelings of excitement, friendship and beauty from my travels,” said Frank. “The Balinese have an aural musical tradition. While transcriptions have been written in an attempt to preserve Balinese music, much of it is passed on aurally. I approached my piece in a similar way — most of the piece was composed and taught without notation.” As the ensemble prepares for the concert, Frank has begun to transcribe his piece to help the performers and to preserve the work they have accomplished under his direction. “I am very grateful to all those who are involved in bringing my piece to the Evening of Percussion,” Frank said. “Dr. Grimshaw has been an excellent mentor, guiding and supporting me along the way. The members of the ensemble have also been extremely supportive, and I’d like to thank them all for putting up with me this semester.”   Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates and Times: April 13 | 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $7-11 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU HFAC or Marriott Center Ticket Office, by phone at (801) 422-2981 or online at byuarts.com