Orchestral percussion students have the full gamut of percussion instruments to learn. Mallet percussion, timpani and snare drum are the main focus for orchestral percussion students. A full set of percussion instruments is available for tuition and practicing, and a wealth of repertoire, built up over the last three decades ensures that all aspects of percussion playing can be covered. In addition there are hire instruments available for students to practice at home. The percussion ensembles deal with group playing and developing listening skills, but also provide students with the opportunity to learn techniques for the many other percussion instruments they may play in wind bands or other ensemble settings.4th Term Percussion Concert 2018
The idea for this concert was to have as many performers playing at the same time. We had the Senior percussion ensemble with some guest performers from the Rustenburg High School percussion ensemble, the UCT percussion ensemble and a couple of past students and other guests. This large group performed six items, including arrangements of pop classics and themes from movie soundtracks. The Junior and Intermediated ensembles performed with additional support from the UCT percussionists and for some of the juniors, this was their first ensemble concert experience. The UCT ensemble entertained with two humorous items that help set the tone for the upcoming school holidays. A special thank you goes out to Frank Mallows, who provided assistance in preparing the programme, supplied some instruments and contributed to the conducting duties.
This concert started off with snare drum solos from two of our youngest percussion students. They were accompanied by the UCT percussion ensemble, a slightly nerve-wracking but hugely beneficial experience for them! The programme included a fine performance by the Intermediate ensemble of a drum line inspired piece, "Drum Check" and a ragtime piece performed by the Senior ensemble. This piece, "Rainbow Ripples", is an arrangement by the famous xylophone specialist Bob Becker, member of the Nexus Percussion Ensemble. The UCT percussionists also treated the students to a polished performance of "Gainsborough" by Thomas Gauger, another well-known percussionist/composer.
This annual event is a performance based workshop that features elements related to the drum kit. It takes place in the third term each year, straight after the end of term percussion concert.
