Abstract:
The aim of this Honors Thesis was to solidify four years of in depth study in the percussive arts by means of a solo performance recital. Planning for this recital began at the end of spring semester, 2006. My principal percussion instructor, Dr. Erwin C. Mueller approached me and simply asked, "Have you ever considered giving a recital?" At that point we perused the percussion library and selected possible pieces. Upon my return to campus in the fall of 2006, I met with Dr. Mueller, solidified the program for my recital, and immediately began preparing for its realization on February 2, 2007. During this entire semester, I studied privately with Dr. Mueller and practiced intensely.The secondary goal of this recital was audience appeal. The program I presented was carefully selected to provide a performance that would appeal to a wide variety of musical tastes within the audience. The first piece was a timpani and drum-set duet. It was an "attention-grabber" with its robust instrumentation and the contemporary musical genres represented within its three movements. The second piece on the program was another duet, but this piece utilized the rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic capabilities of the vibraphone and marimba in a Spanish Flamenco style. The third piece of the program was for solo snare drum and displayed a multiple of traditional and contemporary snare drum techniques while presenting four separate American snare drum styles. The fourth piece on the program was meant to appeal to those with an ear for jazz. For this portion of the recital, I played the lead part on vibraphone in a small jazz combo. The fifth and final piece was a concerto for a five-octave marimba and orchestra. It was somewhat challenging to convince a full orchestra to perform in my recital; consequently mymarimba part was accompanied by a piano performing a reduction of the original orchestra parts.
