Robert Chappell
Greg Beyer
by Mark McGowan
When Greg Beyer floated the idea of entering the NIU Percussion Ensemble in a contest to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Robert Chappell wasn’t so sure.
“The competition is very, very nasty,” Chappell said, “to say the least.”
But the decision to enter proved a good one.
NIU’s ensemble has earned one of only three “showcase” spots reserved for university groups – Yale University and the University of North Texas claimed the others – and will enjoy a major stage Thursday, Nov. 12.
More than 5,000 drummers and percussionists from around the world are expected in Indianapolis for the convention and can enjoy the distinctive, worldly and original sounds rooted in rural DeKalb.
“It’s kind of nice to be in that same territory as Yale and North Texas,” said Chappell, a Distinguished Teaching Professor and head of percussion studies.
“What we want to do for this concert is present new music. We don’t want to go there and play things people have heard before. We want to feature the unique things that NIU does – or that other schools don’t do in the same way.”
Local audiences can enjoy a sneak preview of that showcase tonight.
The ensemble will present its annual fall concert at 8 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public, and the auditorium is accessible to all. Tonight’s performance also is scheduled for webcast.
It’s a feast for the ears and the eyes.
“We strike everything. We move like dancers. The physical power of the instruments is strong and loud, and the way people play them is always fascinating,” Chappell said. “You play the berimbau with a stick; hand drums with hands. We have one piece where people are pouring water from one bucket to another. There are so many sonic structures we can use, and there’s always something unusual. It’s not like you’re going to hear Mozart. Each piece is unique.”
Topping the bill is the world premiere of “Forward Together Forward,” composed by NIU percussion studies alum Ben Wahlund.
Wahlund, who has won numerous national and international composition competitions, captures NIU’s strength and resolve after Feb. 14, 2008. His work pits the daily commotion of a college campus against the theme of unity through tragedy, eventually joining them as a source of spiritual and positive energy.
“Ben wanted a piece that reflected the spirit of NIU and how we really had to pull together to come through the Feb. 14 tragedy,” Chappell said. “It’s got all these rhythmic things going on and almost a church chorale going on in the background.”
Beyer will perform two works he commissioned for berimbau, a ground bow instrument from Brazil, titled “Rotations” and “Repercusio.”
“Greg is the berimbau expert in North America,” Chappell said. “He’s taken this humble instrument and is finding composers to write pieces for it.”
Chappell composed concert closer “Vadya Kecceri” – literally translated as a rhythmic contest between two instruments – with tabla drums from north India and tassa drums from Trinidad and Tobago as the main rivals.
Percussion student Mia Gormandy, who Chappell calls “the female Liam Teague,” will perform a steelpan solo as part of the “musical curry.”
Chappell purchased “a bunch” of tassa drums, played on the streets on the Port of Spain, with money received from his Presidential Teaching Professor award a few years ago. “We’re the only North American university that I know of that has this type of ensemble,” he said.
Such exclusivity is most likely short-lived, however; the world of percussion is evolving and expanding.
“When I was in school, the literature for percussion was really pretty sparse, shall we say,” Chappell said. “Over the years, people have commissioned more works, and there’s almost a standard literature now. They run the gamut from drumming tunes – the power of drumming – to more esoteric sounds to world music, such as the Brazilian samba and the Indian tabla.”
For more information, call (815) 753-7973 or e-mail rchappell@niu.edu.