Virginia Tech Percussion Ensemble to perform with guest xylophonist Heather Thorn
The Virginia Tech Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor of Percussion Annie Stevens, will perform with guest xylophonist Heather Thorn on Thursday, Nov. 3. The concert will be held in the Creativity and Innovation District living-learning community building, at 7:30 p.m.
Thorn is a xylophonist in Orlando, Florida, where she performs with her band, Vivacity, and as a freelance percussionist and actress. In 2019 and 2022, Thorn was featured with Vivacity as the headline act for the I Love Jazz International Jazz Festival in Brazil. She has been featured as a guest artist with Michael Andrew and Swingerhead, Carol Stein, and the John Depaola quartet and as an opening act for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
For the Virginia Tech concert, the 13-member Percussion Ensemble performs on marimbas to accompany Thorn's xylophone.
Thorn "is an incredibly virtuosic xylophone player and someone very unique in our field. Her specialty is mainly jazz music from the 1920s era, and she has done much study into the performance practice of this music," said Stevens. "She has a unique background in both theatre and music and as a result is a charismatic, engaging and superb performer."
According to Stevens, the program will feature some unique aspects of percussion ensemble repertoire, including a piece for just six tambourines, a historical piece written in 1941 by Lou Harrison, a trio for one bass drum, and a piece for just hands.
Virginia Tech Percussion is a university ensemble open to music majors and non-majors by audition in the fall semester. It performs a wide body of repertoire from classical transcriptions and chamber works to traditional West African drumming music and large percussion orchestra pieces. The ensemble features several guest artists throughout the year, and students have the opportunity to participate in master classes with visiting guest artists on several occasions.
Tickets and parking
Tickets are $15 general/$12 senior/$10 student and may be purchased through the Moss Arts Center ticket office in person or online. Tickets will be available at the door beginning one hour prior to the performance. The Creativity and Innovation District building is at 185 Kent St. on the Blacksburg campus.
All university community members and visitors will need to display a parking permit, use the ParkMobile app, pay a fee, or pay using an hourly meter to park on the Blacksburg campus unless otherwise noted by signage. Find additional parking information here.
If you are an individual with a disability and/or desire an accommodation, please contact Susan Sanders prior to the event.
