Mount Lebanon Percussion

Mount Lebanon Percussion is the percussion program for the high school of Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania. With six concert ensembles, four specialty ensembles and a marching percussion section, the program has been recognized as one of the premier percussion groups in the nation. Staff members include Richard T. Minnotte, Director; Subha Das, Principal Assistant Director; Jason Miller, Rick Laus and Dan Muenier, Assistant Directors.

History

Mount Lebanon Percussion was created in the fall of 1985, when a small group of students played Baja at the Winter Band concert. The first ensemble consisted of 15 students and one director, Mr. Minnotte. In 1987, the program performed its first evening concert, sharing the stage with band soloists. The following year, Mount Lebanon Percussion presented its initial Evening of Percussion concert series, held over Memorial Day weekend.

The Holiday Bells, Mallets and Drums Series was added in December 1996. The series featured selections from the holiday season, and performed not only in Mount Lebanon, but across the Western Pennsylvania area. Moreover, the fall percussion ensemble was invited to be the house band for the KDKA-TV Children's Hospital Free Care Fund Telethon; the ensemble continues to provide live music for this television event.[1]

Since its conception, the program has continually increased the degree of difficulty of its music. In 1991, the first Grade 4 piece, Blues and Cakewalk by Joshua Missal, was performed (percussion music is graded on a scale from 1-6). Seven years later, the Senior High ensemble performed Tom Gauger's Portico, its first Grade 5 selection. By 2003, the Senior High ensemble was performing all Grade 5 and 5+ music, with its first Grade 6 piece, Stained Glass by David Gillingham, being performed the previous year. Currently, Mount Lebanon Percussion performs numerous Grade 5 & 6 selections at its Evening of Percussion concert series, including works from Eric Ewazen, Christopher Rousse, Michael Hennagin, Nathan Daughtrey and Lynn Glassock.

In 2002, Mount Lebanon Percussion was selected to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Conference, held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The group returned to the conference, held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 2005. The following year, Mount Lebanon Percussion was honored by The MENC: The National Association for Music Education as the only percussion ensemble in the nation selected to perform at their biannual conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The ensemble traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana in 2007 for the National Percussion Festival which is affiliated with Bands of America/Music for All. The group then returned to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Conference, held in Hershey, Pennsylvania in 2008. For the year 2009 the ensemble will be making another trip to Indianapolis, Indiana for their second appearance at the National Percussion Festival.

Currently, the percussion program is a part of the award-winning Mount Lebanon School District Fine Arts Department. The program continues to hold its Evening of Percussion and Holiday Bells, Mallets and Drums Series every year, as well as additional local, regional, and national performances.

Staff

Ensembles

Malletech

Mount Lebanon Percussion's relationship with the Malletech corporation, a producer of world-class mallet instruments, began in 1997 when Mount Lebanon purchased a 5-octave marimba. Since then, the program has purchased two 4.3 marimbas, two xylophones, bass marimba and a glockenspiel from Malletech. They also use Malletech marimba mallets in practice and performance.

In 2006, Malletech named Mount Lebanon Percussion one of three Malletech Artist Ensemble. This distinct honor was given in light of their continued support and their selection for MENC earlier that year. As a Malletech Artist Ensemble, Mount Lebanon is given discounts on instruments and equipment. In addition, they are recognized in Malletech's annual catalogue and other press releases.[2]

Commissioning Series

In 1995, Mount Lebanon commissioned Kurt J. McNaught, then staff member, to transcribe Morning Dance by musical group Spyro Gyra for percussion ensemble. This began the Mount Lebanon Percussion Commissioning Series, an effort to promote the development of repertoire for high school percussion ensembles. Four of these commissions have been nationally published and performed throughout the United States by various high schools and college ensembles. Additionally, The United States Army percussion ensemble has performed selections from Mount Lebanon's Percussion Commissioning Series.

The Commissioning Series comprises transcriptions and original compositions. Transcriptions include Rhapsody in Blue by Kurt McNaught, excerpts from Les Misérables by Rob Sigler and Angels We Have Heard On High by P.J. Gatch. Original compositions include Winter Fantasy by Stanley Leonard. The four nationally published selections are Winter Fantasy (1996) and Good Christian Men Rejoice (1997) by Stanley Leonard, and The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy (1998) and God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (2003) by Hart Morris. These compositions are for percussion ensemble and handbell choir.

As of 2006, there are 20 Commissioning Series compositions. All compositions are available on loan from Mount Lebanon's music library.

Notes and references

  1. Fabregas, Luis (2005-12-11). "Bogut's benefit losing sparkle". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
  2. "News & New Releases". MostlyMarimba. Retrieved 2006-06-20.

External links

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