Festive winter sweaters replaced traditional ensemble formal wear Tuesday evening on the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall stage. The change in attire set the mood for the NIU Percussion Ensemble’s Winter Concert, an evening of warmth, humor and a campus celebrity appearance.
Directors Gregory Beyer and Ben Wahlund led the ensemble through a program that balanced musical precision with holiday cheer. Between the pieces, pianist Austyn Menk kept the atmosphere bright, filling the silence with holiday music.
The night opened with “Reflection in White,” composed by student performer John Wolff. The small group of six musicians created a bright sound that ebbed and flowed, moving through the hall like a wave.
“It’s such an honor to have that piece played here a few times. It’s perfectly fitting for this concert,” Wolff said.
The tone shifted from atmospheric to rhythmic with “Berimbau Quintet No. 1, ‘Solkattu.’” Composed by Beyer, the piece utilized the berimbau, an Afro-Brazilian musical bow.
“This piece is based on Solkattu, which is a rhythmic language from the great country of India,” Beyer said. “Because it’s for five players, it’s all about the number five.”
Following this, the ensemble transitioned back to holiday themes with “Away in a Manger.” Conducted by Wahlund with a gentle hand, the small ensemble moved through the arrangement with grace.
“It’s a song about peace,” Wahlund said. “As if that’s actually what we are going to do is make the world a better place, and be peaceful for a little bit.”
The energy spiked during “Hannukkah Tarantella” as vocalist Paul Kassel brought the song to life with enthusiastic body language and inflection.
Vocalists Sarah Calgaro and Allison Wilson took the stage next for their rendition of “Defying Gravity” from the musical “Wicked.” Supported by the percussion ensemble, the two singers blended well, with Calgaro embodying the lead character, Elphaba, well.
At intermission, there was a visit from the university’s live husky mascot, Mission. The audience gathered outside of the concert hall to get a visit, pet him and grab a picture with the campus celebrity.
After intermission, the ensemble presented the world premiere of “Silent Carol” by Brian Penkrot, a unique take on holiday choir classics with a modern twist.
Keeping the energy high, the next song performed was “Rio Manzanare.” Arranged by student Nathan Guerra, the piece featured the NIU Steel Pan Studio. The performers had visible smiles on their faces, and the audience responded with loud cheers and claps.
“It is lively, it is energetic, and it is a little bit loud,” Guerra said.
The evening concluded with “Mystery Box Sightreading,” which involved the entire room. The performers invited the audience to participate, filling the stage with students, family and community members as everyone saw the music for the first time and sang along to Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”
“Percussion is so much more fun when we make music with one another,” Wahlund said.
For those who missed the performance, a recording of the evening is available to watch at any time.
