For more than a decade, the instrumental ensemble, “So Percussion” has been creating music that explores the extremes of emotion and musical possibility. On April 16, at 7:30 p.m., the four-member group founded by graduate students at the Yale School of Music, will perform in Roanoke College’s Olin Theater.
So Percussion, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., tours throughout the United States and the world. The group has released 13 albums and has produced an array of collaborative projects, educational programs and a steady output of its own music.
The ensemble began by producing music by 20th century percussion composers, but since 2006 members started writing their own pieces that often are about a place, such as a city or an environment.
So Percussion members also mentor young musicians. They are co-directors of a new percussion department at the Bard College Conservatory of Music. Also, in 2009 they created the annual So Percussion Summer Institute at Princeton University, an intense two-week chamber music seminar for college-age percussionists.
Tickets for So Percussion’s Roanoke College performance are available at www.roanoke.edu/tickets or by calling (540)375-2333.
Also coming to Roanoke College in April:
United States vs. Art Thieves: Tales of the FBI’s Real Indiana Jones – Tuesday, April 1, 7 p.m., Colket Center, Wortmann Ballroom
Robert Wittman, former senior investigator/founder of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Art Crime Team and author of The New York Times bestseller, “Priceless: How I went undercover to rescue the world’s stolen treasures,” will discuss his lengthy career and his advocacy for the importance of art historical objects.
Wittman’s work in recovering more than $300 million in stolen art and cultural property has taken him around the world to recover items that include ancient Peruvian golden artifacts, a Rembrandt painting and Geronimo’s eagle-feathered war bonnet. This talk is sponsored by Roanoke’s Art History Program, the Turk Pre-Law Program, and the Department of Fine Arts.
New Research on the Ancient Maya of Yucatan, Mexico – Thursday, April 3, 7 p.m., Colket Center, Wortmann Ballroom
Archaeologist Tomas Gallareta Negron of the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia, Mexico, will speak as the Copenhaver Visiting Scholar Distinguished guest lecture.
Coffee Shop Talk: To Kill a Mockingbird: Mad Dogs and Mockingbirds – Thursday, April 3, 8 p.m., Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, Salem
Timothy Isaacs and Michael Pace of the Center for Teaching the Rule of Law at Roanoke will speak on the topic – To Kill a Mockingbird: Mad Dogs and Mockingbirds. These talks provide a relaxed forum for discussion and inquiry on a wide range of topics. Each one-hour talk includes a short presentation, followed by questions and discussion. Talks are free and open to the public.
Off –Broadway, On-Campus – Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Bast Center Tickets ($5) at the door.
The concert will feature the choral and solo talents of the Roanoke College Choir and Oriana Singers performing hits of stage and screen, old and new.
Art Majors Show – Friday, April 11 – Friday, May 2
Olin and Smoyer Galleries / Opening Reception: Friday, April 11, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,Smoyer Gallery – Closing Reception: Friday, May 2, noon to 2 p.m., Smoyer Gallery
The Art Majors exhibition showcases work by Roanoke College students who major or minor in art. Exhibited works are from the artists’ areas of focus, which include ceramics, design, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. The exhibition represents the wide variety of media, styles and ideas that students explore as part of Roanoke’s Fine Arts Department.
Roanoke College Choir, Oriana Singers Spring Concert – Sunday, April 13, 3 p.m., St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Roanoke
The Roanoke College Choir and the Oriana Singers will perform a spring concert.
RC Jazz & Wind Ensembles Joint Concert – Tuesday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Olin Theater
The Roanoke College Jazz & Wind Ensembles will perform jointly under the direction of Dr. Joseph Blaha.
Admission Charges: Many events are free of charge and do not require tickets. When admission fees or tickets are required for an on-campus event, this is stated in the individual listing, as is information on how to obtain the tickets. Additional nominal fees for online ticket purchases apply.
