Percussion, clarinet music to highlight Feb. 16-17 activities

 The fourth annual ISU Day of Percussion scheduled Saturday, Feb. 17, will feature guest marching specialist Jeffrey Moore and Brazilian percussion expert Julie Hill. Events include a 4 p.m. concert and a clarinet master class at 2 p.m.

Idaho State University percussion director Dr. Thom Hasenpflug will be the host for the day’s events, which is free of charge.

In addition, the ISU music department is planning to combine Hill’s Day of Percussion visit with that of clarinet artist Amy Simmons, for an evening of percussion and clarinet duo music the prior night, Friday, Feb. 16, in the Joseph C. and Cheryl H. Jensen Grand Concert Hall in the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center. ISU clarinet professor Dr. John Masserini is coordinating this portion of the weekend. While the Saturday activities are all free, there is a small nominal charge between $2 and $5 for Friday evening’s duo performance.

Inquiries may be directed to Hasenpflug at (208) 282-3636.

The Day of Percussion is a form of educational outreach to the surrounding communities, and is funded in part by a grant from the Connie Smith Bowen Arts Series. It is additionally financially supported by the companies of Zildjian, Paiste, Adams/Pearl, Yamaha, Pro-Mark, Innovative Percussion, LP, Remo, and D’addario/Evans.

While it is designed primarily for high school students, all interested percussionists are invited to Goranson Hall in the ISU Fine Arts Building on the ISU campus on Feb. 17 for an afternoon of workshops, clinics and performances.

Performances often include local high school ensembles, having in past years featured percussion groups from Highland, Skyline, Bonneville, Idaho Falls and Hillcrest high schools. The day is capped by a 4 p.m. performance in Goranson Hall featuring the guest artists in conjunction with Hasenpflug and the ISU percussion and steel ensembles.

Moore is among the premiere marching clinicians in the United States due to his former work as percussion director of the Madison Scouts. He currently directs the percussion program at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.

Hill is an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, Martin, Tenn., and has gained extensive knowledge of Brazilian percussion through her travels in South America. She also performs as a member of the acclaimed Caixa trio.

Saturday, Feb. 17, also will feature a clarinet master class with Simmons at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. This class is free and open to the public. Public school clarinet students are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Simmons is an assistant professor of music at the University of Tennessee, where she teaches studio clarinet, saxophone and double-reeds.  Prior to this appointment, Simmons taught for three years at the University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind.  She has performed solo and chamber music recitals throughout the United States as well as in Germany, Austria, England, Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Simmons is an avid performer of new music and has in the past two years commissioned pieces from Howard Helvey for a U.S. premiere in Sioux City, Iowa, and an European premiere in Budapest, Hungary. She also commissioned a piece for Forrest Pierce, which had an European premiere in Dublin, Ireland, and one for Russell Riepe, which had a  U.S. premiere in San Marcos, Texas.

More information on these events’ primary performers are available online:

• for Hasnepflug, visit www.thomhasenpflug.com/page5.html;

• Moore,  www.music.ucf.edu/moore/moore.php;

• Hill, www.flickr.com/photos/percussion/278009239/;

• Simmons, www.utm.edu/departments/finearts/music/Bios/simmonsa.php;

• John Masserini, www.isu.edu/departments/music/masserini.shtml.