Symphony Of The Canyons

CRESCENT MOON TO PRESENT TAYLOR AMSTRONG AND SUU PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

On Saturday the 25th of February, at 7:00pm, the 2nd Crescent Moon Concert Series will present Kanab's own Taylor Armstrong on his marimba, and the Southern Utah University Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Lynn Vartan.

This talented Percussion Ensemble performs historically significant works for percussion, contemporary percussion literature, novelty percussion and traditional non-western percussion music. The ensembles are comprised of both music majors and non-majors and welcomes students with a variety of levels of experience. Several performance opportunities are available to members of the Percussion Ensembles, including concerts, performances and other promotional events for the College of Performing and Visual Arts as well as concerts on and off campus. Percussion students have the opportunity to pursue and design programs in education as well, such as the Elementary African Drum Group, Bumbleberry Jam and Arts Fusion Elementary Percussion events at rural schools. Each Spring, Dr. Vartan hosts an annual Percussion Festival. The festival features two guest artists who arrive in Cedar City to stay in residence for a few days. This gives the percussion students opportunities for lessons with the guest artists, as well as to get closer to the artists and ask questions about their career and musical life. The percussion studio is very excited to have grown to three full ensembles and are planning to tour in 2011-2012 academic year.

Director Dr. Lynn Vartan is an international performer and educator who is an advocate for diversity in music. She has been featured in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Mexico and Europe, in addition to frequent solo appearances in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the US. Lynn has recorded with ECM, New World Records, Yarlung Records, Albany Records, and was Grammy nominated three times on Cambria with Southwest Chamber Music.

Taylor Armstrong is the son of Dr. John Armstrong and his wife Jill of Kanab and a 2011 graduate of Kanab High School. He started his musical studies at age 8 on the piano, then at age ten began his career as a percussionist, studying with his grandfather. Taylor soon became proficient on the snare drum, drum set and timpani, but after receiving a marimba as his Christmas gift three years ago, he developed a real affinity for that instrument’s beautiful sound and challenging repertoire. Taylor’s hard work and talent have earned him several awards and wonderful opportunities to play with the country’s top young musicians. He performed with the Honor Band of America in Indianapolis, Indiana, one of six percussionists nationwide to participate. In Utah's Day of Percussion, a statewide competition for percussionists, Taylor was awarded first place in timpani, marimba, and in the mock audition. He played in Utah All State groups, where he earned superior ratings in state solo and ensemble festivals and attended the Percussive Arts Society International Convention for three years. He has attended music camps at BYU, Florida, Indianapolis, and had the opportunity to attend the prestigious Interlochen Six Week Summer Music Program in Michigan.Taylor’s Scholastic accomplishments are noteworthy as well. He competed as the Music Sterling Scholar where he was awarded runner up and received a scholarship to SUU. He was an Honor Student at Kanab High and is in the Honor Program at SUU, where he currently attends and studies with Dr. Lynn Vartan, the Director of the SUU Percussion Ensemble. Two years ago, Taylor performed Ney Rosauro’s five movement concerto with our local Symphony of the Canyons. Recently, he was chosen to perform the third movement of Eric Ewazen’s Marimba Concerto with the Orchestra of Southern Utah on April 19th. He also has the opportunity to play in the Advanced Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and other performing groups.

Come and enjoy a wonderful evening of drums and other instruments from the SUU Percussion Ensemble.

Cost of concert: $5.00.

Crescent Moon Theater at 150 South 100 West in Kanab, Utah 84741� (435) 644-2350

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