Sept. 30 Concert Features Acclaimed “Plugged-In” Percussionist
Contact: George Manlove at (207) 581-3756
ORONO — The UMaine School of Performing Arts is bringing a guest composer and percussionist to Minsky Recital Hall Sept. 30 to perform his “Music for a Plugged-In Percussionist” concert, an innovative and cutting-edge application of digital music in the area of percussion.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Minsky Recital Hall in the Class of 1944 Hall. Admission is $6.
Dan Moore, professor of music at the University of Iowa and head of the percussion program, plays a customized marimba, which he modified to augment the acoustic marimba with electronically-triggered sounds. Described as a “total percussionist” experienced with many aspects of percussion — keyboard, drum set, ethnic, multi and electronic — his music ranges from concert to marching and from jazz to classical.
Stuart Marrs, UMaine music professor, percussionist and chair of the School of Performing Arts Music Division, invited Moore to Orono because “he represents the forward-looking mix of technology and live performance, using digital technology to create performance music,” Marrs says.
The music Moore will play, Marrs adds, “is very accessible music” for general audiences. “It’s music that they know with technology of the future.”
Moore has performed throughout the United States and in Japan and China.
In 1985, he formed the Britain/Moore Duo with Nashville-based steel drummer and percussionist Mat Britain. The BMD tours nationally with their eclectic mix of acoustic and electronic percussion. Their most recent CD, Little World of Rhythm (Cricket City 2001) was described by a reviewer as having “a musical spirit that lifts the soul.”
Moore has presented performances and clinics at the prestigious Percussive Arts Society International Convention with The Britain/Moore Duo, with DigiJam with fellow plugged-in percussionists FutureMan of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and first-call Nashville studio percussionist Tom Roady, among others.
At UMaine, Moore’s program includes: “Sea Journey” by Chick Corea, “Boston Marathon” by Gary Burton, “Madam Orphosis” by Dan Moore, “interlude #1 (American)” by Dan Moore, “Blue in Green” by Miles Davis, “interlude #2 (African)” by Dan Moore, “My Funny Valentine” by Rodgers/Hart, “Bamboo” by Mike Mainieri, “interlude #3 (Brazilian)” by Dan Moore, “Meditation” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “Blonde Vivant” and “Swing Swang Swung” by Dan Moore.
Ticket information is available by calling the Maine Center for the Arts Box office at (207) 581-1755.