PRESS RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
February 16, 2012
Contact: Dr. Blake Tyson, (501) 450-5263, btyson@uca.edu
UCA PERCUSSION FESTIVAL SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10
By Paige Turner
College of Fine Arts and Communication Media Office
Conway — The UCA Percussion Festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, in the Snow Fine Arts Center on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
The event is free and open to the public.
The festival will begin at noon with clinics, master classes and presentations by the guest artists. The day will conclude with a grand finale concert featuring the UCA Percussion Ensemble and all of the guest artists.
Dr. Blake Tyson, associate professor of music and creator of the festival, said he was excited about the festival and all that it brings to the students of UCA.
“I started this festival in 2002 in order to bring the greatest percussionists in the world to Central Arkansas,” he said. “It gives the students at UCA a chance to meet, interact with and learn from the leaders in their field. It also gives students from elementary, middle and high schools in Arkansas a chance to learn from these musicians.”
The festival’s guest artists have backgrounds that cover many different styles of music. Lalo Davila will present a clinic on Latin percussion. Brandon Alanis will give a presentation about rock drumming. John Beck will present a number of his compositions and share his expertise on orchestral timpani. John Parks will share the secrets of great snare drum playing. Andy Harnsberger will play many of his virtuosic compositions for marimba.
“This year’s festival is exciting from start to finish, but it is a true honor to have John Beck with us this year,” Tyson said. “Mr. Beck taught at the Eastman School of Music for 49 years. His students are some of the leading names in the musical world.”
Tyson urged the community to come enjoy the teaching of percussion along with the UCA students.
“It is always an amazing and inspirational event,” he said. “All students, amateur percussionists or just those who might want to learn something new are all welcome.”
For more information, contact Tyson at (501) 450-5263 or btyson@uca.edu or visit www.blaketyson.com/ucapercussion.
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