Percussion

Dan McGuire, Director

11. 11. 9:00

a.m.

Personnel

Cameron Arwood Casey Brewer Astyn Depew Noah Ford Devon Freeman Lilli Grimmet Andy Holmes Maggie Holmes Graham Hurter Tuck Ledbetter Caleb Lonan Turner McCabe Carter McClendon Ashley Meade Blake Montgomery Kyle Neubert Coleman Numbers Russell Perry Michael Powell Adeline Preston

We could not have received this honor without the help of our graduated seniors who paid the price, but could not reap the

reward. 2015/2016 Seniors:

Joe Cary, Katie Cundif, Tyler Harvey, Miranda Mann, Kevin Portwine,

ProgramRuslan and Ludmilla

(2015)

Scenes from the Woods

(2011)

Identity Crisis

(2004)

Lux Aurumque

(2000)

Shadow Chasers

(1994)

On Fire

(1989)

Mikhail Glinka

Brian Blume

Michael Aukofer

Eric Whitacre

Michael Burritt

Michel Camilo Jason Carpenter, Drumset

David Mitchell, Marimba

arr. Bryan T. Harmsen

arr. Jason Carpenter

arr. Dan McGuire

Ruslan and Ludmilla

Mikhail Glinka was the father of Russian music. Where before itinerant troupes of Italian, French, or German musicians had dominated, Glinka staked out his territory and became the musical inspiration for generations of composers and listeners who followed him. He created a uniquely Russian music, planting its roots irmly in the European tradition but fertilizing it with music from Russian, Middle Eastern, Persian, and other Asian folk traditions.

Ruslan and Ludmilla dispenses with the then usual weighty introduction, immediately coming forth with an assertive motive connected by fast sixteenth note passages. The rather boisterous introduction yields to a more lyrical passage carried by the metallic voices, ending in a coda that brings back the original motif, carrying the piece to a rousing conclusion.

Scenes from the Woods

From the composer:

Growing up in rural Indiana, I got to spend a great deal of time in the woods. This piece is a look back at some of the special times I spent in the woods near my parents’ house: a fast-paced game of tag or hide-and-seek; the quiet moments of solitude and relection; a mysterious, foggy evening; the sun’s rays csclicing through the canopy of trees; and making the most of a rainy day. Scenes from the Woods was premiered in 2011 by the Center Grove High School percussion ensemble (Josh Torres, director) at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Scenes from the Woods is dedicated to my parents, who helped give me a fun and memorable childhood and provided every opportunity I could ask for.

-Brian Blume (2011)Identity Crisis

Written by Michael Aukofer during his time at the University of Kentucky, Identity Crisis is a contrast in compositional styles, which depicts Aukofer’s education as a composer. In the late 1990’s Aukofer was able to study with renowned composer William Kraft. Later, while completing his D.M.A. at the University of Kentucky under Jim Campbell, he was pushed to explore a drastically diferent compositional style which utilized making “sounds” as opposed to focusing on creating musical lines such as what he had learned studying with Kraft.

Identity Crisis is a direct result of this kind of compositional “identity crisis” that Aukofer experienced during this time. Flowing melodic lines are often interrupted by short sections of music focusing on “sounds”, ranging from pots and brake drums to gurgling. Written for seven players, Identity Crisis is an exploration in the sonic possibilities of a percussion ensemble.

Program Notes

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Lux Aurumque

Originally written for SATB choir, Lux Aurumque features tight harmonies and organic phrasing. Commissioned by the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, Eric Whitacre set the work to a poem by Edward Esch, which was then translated into Latin to form the text used in the original work.

Light,

warm and heavy as pure gold

and angels sing softly

to the new-born babe.

This performance is dedicated to the memory of Lisa Kay Garcia (2/6/80 - 6/28/16), who was taken from this world far too soon. Wife, mother, teacher, girl scout troop leader, animal lover, and cofee enthusiast, it is our hope that this performance will honor her passing.

Shadow Chasers

Michael Burritt’s Shadow Chasers can function as an unaccompanied solo or a solo with ensemble accompaniment. One of Burritt’s most popular works, it explores the full range of the marimba and features high demands for marimba technique.

From the composer:

In his writing, the English author C.S. Lewis referred to our time on earth as the “Shadow-Lands”. Many implications can be drawn from this metaphor. I have always considered myself, and most people, to be someone who chases after the things of the Shadow Lands (a “Shadow Chaser”) rather than those of a higher calling. I too often look for rewards here instead of in my relationship with God.

This is a battle I will constantly ight

-Michael Burritt (1994)

On Fire

On Fire, an original composition by renowned pianist Michel Camilo, is an upbeat and fast paced piece originally written for jazz trio. First heard as the title track to Michel Camilo’s album On Fire, which was published in 1989. In this arrangement, the form and spirit of the piece has been translated for percussion ensemble.

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Director

Dan McGuire serves as Director of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, TN. His responsibilities include the coordination of the Hilltopper Marching Band, Marching Drumline, and all percussion classes grades 6-12. Mr. McGuire holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Education from East Tennessee State University.

During his tenure, Mr. McGuire has received numerous superior ratings for concert band. Additionally, the Science Hill Percussion Ensemble has hosted a

regional Day of Percussion, as well as the inaugural East Tennessee Percussion Festival. The Percussion Ensemble is a two time winner of The Percussive Arts Society’s International Percussion Ensemble Competition and performed at PASIC 2013 and 2016. Mr. McGuire’s students have garnered honors such as winning the Tennessee Statewide Solo Percussion Competition, as well as participating in DCI Top-12 Drum Corps, Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts, regional honor bands and the Tennessee All-State Band.

Mr. McGuire has served as a clinician in the area of marching percussion in East Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. He is a member of the Education Network for Innovative Percussion and Black Swamp Percussion, and his other professional ailiations include the Percussive Arts Society, Tennessee Music Educators Association, East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

Mr. McGuire currently resides in Johnson City, TN with his wonderfully supportive wife Elisa and their daughters Madelyn and Claire.

Please feel free to contact Dan McGuire anytime at mcguired@jcschools.org.

Dan McGuire

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FFrom Johnson City, TN, the Science Hill High School Band Program grew out of the SHHS Orchestra in the late 1920’s and has been one of the premier band programs in the state. The program consists of the ‘HillTopper’ Marching Band, three concert bands, two percussion ensembles, and a jazz band. Students begin band in the 5th grade at an intermediate school and then move to the middle school band in the 7th grade. The program has garnered many awards and accolades over the decades and has placed countless numbers of student musicians in regional and all-state bands. The band has performed in many regional and national parades including The Tournament of Roses Parade (1999, 2009) and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (1996, 2000).

The Science Hill High School Percussion Ensemble was formed in 2005 under the direction of Mr. Dan McGuire, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion. This year marks the ensemble’s irst showcase concert at a Percussive Arts Society International Convention. The ensemble has sponsored Days of Percussion and Percussion Festivals in East Tennessee for the purpose of enhancing percussion education in the region. Dan McGuire is currently in his ninth year teaching, having graduated in 2005 from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s of Music. Science Hill percussionists have garnered honors such as winning the Tennessee Statewide Solo Percussion Competition, as well as participating in DCI Top-12 Drum Corps, regional honor bands and the Tennessee All-State Band.

Dr. Carson

VermillionDirector of Bands

DDavid Mitchell is an active percussion educator, performer, and adjudicator. Currently he is teaching percussion chamber ensemble, music theory, and aural skills at East Tennessee State University. He is a percussion instructor at Science Hill High School, who presented a PASIC Showcase Concert in 2013. Mitchell is a member of the PAS Percussion Ensemble Committee. He often presents clinics at other schools in the region, and is an adjudicator for marching band competitions. He was formerly a principal percussionist for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra. Mitchell regularly performs with musicians and bands from the Johnson City, Tennessee area. He has taught and performed throughout Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. He is often given the opportunity to compose and arrange music for percussion ensembles and marching bands in these states.

Contributing to the art of percussion through the commission of new compositions is one of

David’s passions. Examples of these contributions include Spur by Ivan Trevino and Distances by Baljinder Sekhon. He is currently leading a consortium to commission a new solo work by Dave Maric written for marimba, vibraphone, unpitched percussion, and audio track.

Recordings of David Mitchell include UNCG Wind Ensemble’s inish line! (2011) and

UNCG Casella Sinfonietta/Wind Ensemble’s arts and letters (2014). He also performed in the world premiere of Mark Engebretson’s Acrylic Waves in 2010.

Mitchell has completed his doctoral coursework as a student of Dr. Eric Willie at the

University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received a Bachelor of Music at East Tennessee State University where he studied with Dr. Rande Sanderbeck, and a Master of Music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied with Dr. Kristopher Keeton. He studied composition and arranging with Dr. Maria Niederberger and Dr. Frank Grzych. Other supplemental studies include studio drumming with Dr. Tony Artimisi, frame drums and other world percussion with Sandy Blocker, West African djembe with Atiba Rorie, and tama with Mamadou Mbengue from Saint-Louis, Senegal. Other acclaimed percussionists that he has been involved with include Mark Ford, Dr. Nathan Daughtrey, and Mickey Burmer. He is proud to be a Majestic, Mapex, and Innovative Percussion artist.

David Mitchell currently resides in East Tennessee with his wife, Carrie Mitchell.

Featured Artists

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JJason Carpenter is a percussion educator and performer residing in East Tennessee. Currently, he is a percussion instructor at Science Hill High School as well as teaching marching percussion at Volunteer High School and East Tennessee State University. He is an active arranger for percussion and has worked with many schools throughout the East Tennessee/Southwest Virginia region.

A former percussionist for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, he has performed in numerous ensembles and bands throughout North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

Jason attended East Tennessee State University (Go Bucs!), where he studied percussion with Dr. Rande Sanderbeck. He played in numerous ensembles during that time, including the 2011 East Tennessee State University championship PASIC ensemble, which won the Fred Sanford trophy. He would like to thank Dan McGuire, Dave and Carrie Mitchell, Logan Ball, and Rande Sanderbeck for their continued support and friendship.

Thank You...The Science Hill Percussion Ensemble would like to extend special thanks to:

Elisa – For giving me up to PASIC, Marching Band, and Graduate School yet still being the most supportive spouse anyone could ever have.

Jason Carpenter – For putting in countless hours that were unpaid, but not unnoticed. Without him, we would not be here.

Carson Vermillion – For his constant support of our percussion program.

David Mitchell – One of the best instructors anywhere. Did we mention that he just inished his DMA, and that he’s the man?

Logan Ball, Andy Bliss, Jim Campbell, and Eric Willie – For choosing to each come in a day and help our students perform at their top level of achievement.

Rande Sanderbeck – For being a teacher, mentor, and friend. The man most responsible for the rise of concert percussion in East Tennessee, as well as both PASIC High School showcase ensembles from the state of Tennessee.

Eric Parks IV – For his guidance and counsel.

Chris Smithson, Jason Walsh, and Dave Whaley – For their support with advice and instruments. We are blessed to have such wonderful programs and directors in our region.

Melanie Riden-Bacon – For her constant support of our band program.

Innovative Percussion – For making a great product, and all the support over the years.

Black Swamp Percussion – For making some great instruments, and ofering us constant support.

“The Field Crew” – For countless repairs to wheels, carts, and equipment. FIELD CREW!

Past Percussionists – For their hard work and dedication that laid the groundwork for our current success.

Parents and family –Thank you for supporting your child’s musical endeavors. Thanks as well for all of your help throughout the entire year with transportation, logistics, fundraisers, and everything else. You will always be the most important person in your child’s life.

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You will ind your own ethical dilemmas in all parts of your lives, both personal and professional. We all have diferent desires and needs, but if we don’t discover

what we want from ourselves and what we stand for, we will live passively and unfulilled. Sooner or later, we are all asked to compromise ourselves and the

things we care about. We deine ourselves by our actions. With each decision, we tell ourselves and the world who we are. Think about what you want out of this

life, and recognize that there are many kinds of success.

Many of you will be going on to law school, business school, medical school, or other graduate work, and you can expect the kind of starting salary that, with luck,

will allow you to pay of your own tuition debts within your own lifetime.

But having an enviable career is one thing, and being a happy person is another.

Creating a life that relects your values and satisies your soul is a rare achievement. In a culture that relentlessly promotes avarice and excess as the good

life, a person happy doing his own work is usually considered an eccentric, if not a subversive. Ambition is only understood if it’s to rise to the top of some imaginary ladder of success. Someone who takes an undemanding job because it afords him the time to pursue other interests and activities is considered a

lake. A person who abandons a career in order to stay home and raise children is considered not to be living up to his potential-as if a job title and salary are the

sole measure of human worth. You’ll be told in a hundred ways, some subtle and some not, to keep climbing, and never be satisied with where you are, who you are, and what you’re doing. There are a million ways to sell yourself out, and I

guarantee you’ll hear about them.

To invent your own life’s meaning is not easy, but it’s still allowed, and I think you’ll be happier for the trouble…Your preparation for the real world is not in the

answers you’ve learned, but in the questions you’ve learned how to ask yourself.

Some Thoughts on the Real World

by one who Glimpsed it and Fled

byBill Watterson

(Writer of Calvin and Hobbes)

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Science Hill High School1509 John Exum ParkwayJohnson City, Tn 37604