Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Joy Kowald Students worked in unity at the Percusion Ensemble last Thursday. The group is directed by Tobie Wilkinson.

As Wisconsin School Music Associate State Convention participates, the 14 students in the Percussion Ensemble are a self-motivated group. Their performance last Thursday proved their dedication. While they only have set practice twice a week, many of the students get together to have extra practice.

"[The Percussion Ensemble] learns to work hard," Tobie L. Wilkinson, director of percussion studies, said. "They aren't done with classes after two hours; they rehearse for 12 hours a day."

"[The Percussion Ensemble] has been working on this program for three months," Wilkinson said. "At first I wasn't sold on the program, but now I'm convinced, because I have learned that the students do this because they love it."

Wilkinson is the best man to help the Percussion Ensemble advance in its musical career. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Music from Rice University. While performing professionally with several ensembles in Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas and as a member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, Wilkinson was able to grow as a musician himself.

Wilkinson said the sounds of the Percussion Ensemble are infinite. Crossing the lines of genres, including jazz and classical, displays complicity in the program. Wilkinson stressed the percussion performance is a visual one. While a part of the audience, you are forced to pay attention to every hand movement. Besides that, you can see the excitement in the face of the performer.

Thursday was a diverse program that consisted of a variety of pieces. Some only featured keyboards, some only drums and some a mixed ensemble.

"Each piece has its own level of difficulty," Wilkinson said. "[There] was one that [was] based on a stop watch, changing quickly with no groove."

"My goal [was] to make sure the students [had] a performance they [could] be proud of," Wilkinson said. "They need to know that their hard work is rewarded so they can learn to be better performers and learn more about their instrument."

According to the brochure for the UW-Whitewater Percussion Camp, Wilkinson offers a camp designed by percussionists to concentrate on the specific needs of the contemporary percussion student through technique classes, clinics and percussion ensembles.

Wilkinson made it clear that he "refuses to accept less than high standards." Any music major who plans to take a class with him or attend the camp must be ready to give their all.

If you missed this performance, the Percussion Ensemble will be showcasing their talents at the Holiday Gala Dec. 6 in the Young Auditorium.

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