Monterrey, Mexico
Dr. Stuart Marrs
Clinics, Master Classes, and Percussion Ensemble
Monterrey, Mexico
March 13-19, 2000
The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey combined forces during the week of March 13-19, 2000 to bring Dr. Stuart Marrs, percussion instructor at the University of Maine, to Monterrey for a week of percussion clinics, master classes and percussion ensemble. The percussion studios of both institutions are under the able direction of Prof. Noel Savón, and it is thanks to his efforts and enlightened administrations at both schools that this event was successfully brought to fruition.
Each day during the week a similar schedule was maintained: 3 hours of clinics and master classes in the morning covering the gamut of concert percussion: marimba, timpani, snare drum, accessories etc. The afternoon was devoted to rehearsing the combined percussion ensembles of both institutions, culminating in a concert at the Museo Metropolitano in the center of Monterrey.
The concert on Sunday, March 18, 2000 was a smashing success. The venue was the inner courtyard of the Metropolitan Museum which had been converted from the old Municipal Palace of Monterrey. It was standing room only, with the overflow going to an upstairs balcony. Mtro. Savón and Dr. Marrs split the direction of the program. Savón directed three pieces that he had previously prepared with each of his ensembles and Marrs directed the newly rehearsed works. The audience of at least 500 loved each and every piece on the concert responding with enthusiastic cheers and applause. Click here for the program and ensemble members.
Monterrey is a large city of over two and a half million inhabitants (1990). The university has 100,000 students! Despite its size, typical urban problems are conspicuously absent. The people are warm and friendly and one feels comfortable wandering throughout the city and into the surrounding mountains.
Acknowledgements
First I must thank Mtro. Noel Savón for bringing me to Monterrey and for organizing the event with such precision. The good will and enlightened administrations of both participating institutions facilitated a smooth and trouble free residency: Lic. Juan Briceño Calconcit, Director de la Facultad de Música de la U.A.N.L., Profra. Barbara V. Diaz Alea, Sub-Director de la Facultad de Música de la U.A.N.L., Lic. Angélica Kleen Delgado, Director de la Esculea Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, and Lic. Guillermo Guajardo Guajardo, Secretario Académico de Música de la Esculea Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey. Many thanks to the family of Mike Tovar, percussion student of Mtro. Savón, who lodged me during my stay in Monterrey and made me feel at home. Finally, it is very important to recognize the percussion manufacturing companies who supported this trip. In alphabetical order, they are: