Percussion/Marimba/Drumline
Concordia offers a full percussion ensemble and marimba choir.
The two ensembles perform three times each year – once in the PRISM concert, once before Christmas and once during the annual Day of Percussion. The group also tours regionally each spring.
Percussion Ensemble
Musicians in Concordia’s Percussion Ensemble have earned themselves a reputation as one of the outstanding percussion ensembles in the Upper Midwest. Thanks to numerous tours, audiences in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota have enjoyed their music.
The Percussion Ensemble presented the world premiere of Bängala by David Childs and later featured saxophonist Russell Peterson in the world premiere of his Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Percussion Orchestra. The ensemble has also been featured twice on Minnesota Public Radio’s “In The Music Room” and the “Regional Artists In Concert” series.
This exciting group has been selected nine times to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Convention in the Twin Cities, and also appeared at the MENC National Convention in April 2004. In 2013 the ensemble was invited to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis.
Marimba Choir
Select members of the Percussion Ensemble are invited to play in the Marimba Choir, which was formed in 1987. These talented marimbists perform music ranging from transcriptions of works by classical composers to Latin American, pop favorites, and ragtime.
The Marimba Choir performs each semester with the Percussion Ensemble, as well as at numerous civic and community events.
The Marimba Choir has performed at many state and regional conventions, including for the Midwest Kodaly Music Educators of America, Land O’ Lakes Barber Shop, the Regional American Guild of Organists and nine times for the Minnesota Music Educators Association.
The group was featured in a special performance during a live radio broadcast of “In The Music Room” on Minnesota Public Radio.