(Stephenville)—This spring’s “Day of Percussion” on the campus of Tarleton State University had a new rhythm; the event marked the premier of the Department of Fine Arts and Communications' new steel drums.
The March 3 celebration offered young musicians from across the region the opportunity to work and learn with professionals from the music industry. The Tarleton Percussion Ensemble performed that evening.
In addition to appearances by veteran percussionists Tracy Wiggins, Mike Varner and Jose Aponte, the event marked the first appearance of the university's newly acquired steel drums. Purchased last summer and built especially for Tarleton by the Mannette Steel Drums Company in West Virginia, the new steel band includes leads, double tenors, double second, two guitars, a tenor bass and a bass.
Rich Bahner, associate director of bands at Tarleton, said the new drums would not only be an asset to the overall quality of the Texan band, but would provide music students with an opportunity to experience some cultural diversity in their playing.
“Mennette Steel Drums are the best makers of steel drums in the country,” said Bahner. “Dr. Peer (Tarleton's provost and vice president for academic affairs) found the funds for us and gave us the go-ahead to order the equipment. We are excited to be getting it on campus just in time for our spring percussion festival.”
Each spring, the “Day of Percussion” brings high school musicians from across the state to Tarleton to work with veterans in the music industry. The professional technicians share their expertise with university students and the visiting bands and the day-long clinic concludes with a concert.
Tracy Wiggins is coordinator of the percussion program and director of the marching band at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Wiggins has a master’s degree in percussion performance from the University of New Mexico, a bachelor’s in music education from Oklahoma State University and is working on his doctorate at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
Mark Varner has 28 years of experience as a performer in every musical style including classical, contemporary, jazz and world beat. A member of the faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington, Varner has a national reputation for solo recitals and guests appearances with orchestras, wind ensembles and percussion ensembles.
He is preparing a solo CD featuring time-honored and newly commissioned works for marimba and multiple percussions. Varner is widely in demand as an educator and clinician and has given presentations throughout the United States, Japan and Europe. He is an artist endorsee of Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Evans heads.
A native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Jose Aponte is an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Texas Percussion and Jazz department and is an artist/clinician for Pearl Drum Company and Pro-Mark sticks. He is a graduate of the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, the Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles and the University of North Texas Jazz Studies.
Aponte has performed with artists such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Emil Richards, Poncho Sanchez, Batacumbele, Gino Vanelli, Frank Catalano, Brian Bromberg and Michael Spiro. He is active in the Dallas/Fort Worth musical scene as a freelance performer and studio musician.