Southern Utah University Percussion Festival
As the Percussion Director at Southern Utah University, Lynn hosts an annual Percussion Festival each Spring. The festival hosts two guest artists who arrive in Cedar City on Thursday and stay in residence until Sunday. On Thursday and Friday there are opportunities for lessons with the quest artists. Friday night Dr Vartan hosts a party at her house for the artists, the music department faculty and the percussion students from SUU. This is a great time to get closer to the artists and for the students to ask any questions to the artists about the career and musical life. On Saturday, local high school groups can come and get workshops from the guest artists.
Soloists can also schedule a time to play for the artists.
Saturday culminates with a concert featuring the Southern Utah University Percussion Ensemble, the Bumbleberry jam Elementary School African Ensemble, the guests artists and Dr Vartan.
2009’s artists were Yamaha Artist Brad Dutz and Marimba One artist Miguel Gonzalez. Brad’s workshop was all about hand percussion and participants got to use some hand drums as they learned some techniques and rhythms.
Miguel’s workshop was about marimba performance, with new insights to playing and performing your best.
The 2010 Festival will feature David Johnson and Woodbridge High School and will be held April 9-10, 2010. For more information about the Percussion Festival, please email Lynn Vartan at lynn@lynnvartan.com.
|
