Welcome to the Ouachita Baptist University Percussion Studio!

RECENT NEWS

Mike Vercelli Performs with OBU Percussion Ensemble

Dr. Mike Vercelli was on campus to give a clinic on West African and Brazilian percussion and perform with the OBU Percussion Ensemble. The ensemble learned and performed Kpanlogo from West Africa and a Brazilian Batucada on their semester concert.

Vercelli is the Director of Graduate Studies in Music and Professor of World Music at West Virginia University. His research focuses on the transmission and performance practice of percussive traditions of Africa and African Diaspora. Michael has received awards for his performance and study of indigenous music and has released recordings with master Ghanaian gyil players Bernard Woma and Dorwana Tijan. He has given lectures, performances, and workshops across the United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Europe and is a participating member in the Percussive Arts Society, the Society for Ethnomusicology, and the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance. Michael is a Meinl Percussion artist and a member of the Vic Firth Education team.

OBU Steel Band Tour & Concert

The OBU Steel Band, Tiger Steel, went on the road with the OBU Jazz Band to perform at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and at northwest Arkansas high schools. On previous tours, Tiger Steel has performed at Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, and in Trinidad and Tobago—the birthplace of the steel pan. Tiger Steel also performed two concerts with the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Band in both Arkadelphia and Little Rock.

OBU Percussion Ensemble at PASIC

The OBU Percussion Ensemble sent one ensemble to the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the “Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition”. The group gave a great competition performance and enjoyed the many performances, clinics, and masterclasses offered. They also spent a lot of time (and money) in the huge exhibit hall where they got to try out and buy sticks, mallets, cymbals, drums, and other instruments from hundreds of percussion manufacturers.

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