Studio concert features students
Published 10:37 pm Friday, April 1, 2011
The “Concerts at The Studio” Student Ensemble Showcase Tuesday night at in downtown Troy will feature the Troy University Percussion Ensemble, Phi Mu Alpha Brass Quintet, Troy Brass and Trojan Brass with Dr. Adam Blackstock on the marimba and Timothy Phillips on clarinet.
Dr. Jim Zingara, who orchestrates the free “Concerts at The Studio” series, said the Student Ensemble Showcase is what the title implies and a little more.
“The concert is basically a student chamber showcase featuring the best groups in the school of music,” he said. “And it also includes the Troy Brass that is made up of faculty members and band directors.”
Zingara said Blackstock will play an instrument that some many may not have knowingly heard.
“The marimba is a keyboard instrument much like the xylophone except it has larger resonators and its sound is more mellow,” he said. “The marimba is often played as a solo instrument.”
Blackstock’s percussion ensemble will play a couple of tunes and Zingara said that group will be a crowd pleaser.
Phillips is always popular with the Concerts at the Studio crowds so Zingara said Tuesday night should be filled with great music and fun for everyone.
“This is the sixth year for our ‘Concerts at the Studio,’” he said.
“The concerts are usually well attended with from 50 to 70 people. And that’s a good number for these concerts. The Studio is a small venue with an intimate setting just suited for smaller crowds. Chamber music is more on the serious side and The Studio is a great place to represent it.”
The Student Ensemble Showcase will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Studio on East Walnut Street. Admission is free.
The concerts are organized by Zingara and are offered as gifts to the community.
The space is provided by the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center and the music by the Troy University Long School of Music.
The studio usage fee is contributed by Corley Chapman Jr. in memory of Herman Moll, former band director with the Troy City Schools.