<html> <body> List, A little off-topic but in case any of you are percussionists at heart (or in actuality), you might like to hear this CD. Avery Todd University of Houston <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> NEWS RELEASE Office of External Communications PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE AT UH UPBEAT ABOUT DEBUT RECORDING, 'SURGE' New Compact Disc on Albany Records Features Contemporary Compositions for Percussion HOUSTON, February 22, 2006 - No drum roll necessary. The wait is over for the debut recording from the University of Houston's Percussion Ensemble. Released on Albany Records, the compact disc "Surge" features UH's very own internationally recognized percussion group under the direction of Blake Wilkins, Moores School of Music (MSM) percussion studies director. On the disc, the ensemble performs a selection of contemporary compositions, as well as an update of the Ralph Vaughan Williams' classic, "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis." "This release brilliantly displays the talent that is being generated within MSM's percussion studies program," Wilkins said. Recorded at the Moores Opera House, "Surge" premieres two compositions from MSM's Percussion Ensemble Commissioning Project, which promotes new works for the medium. Composed by Rob Smith, UH professor of composition, the title track is an exotic, jazz-influenced number emphasized by the xylophone, marimba and vibraphone. The other track commissioned by this project is the eclectic four-movement "Houston Strokes" by Donald Grantham, professor of composition at the University of Texas at Austin. "Commissioning and premiering new works is one of the most rewarding experiences, both for myself and for my students," Wilkins said. "It's an amazing experience to take a new composition that, prior to the first downbeat of the first rehearsal, has existed only on paper and in the imagination of the composer, and then bring it to life in sound for the first time. For me, it's a tremendous rush." "Surge" also includes Wilkins' "Melos," an extended, atmospheric odyssey that experiments with bells and haunting melodies. "At the Dawn of War," composed by UH alumnus and Houston percussionist Kevin Erickson, offers a sonic interpretation of 9/11 and its aftermath. Western Washington University Professor Bruce Hamilton's "Raptures of Undream" is a pulsating, drum-heavy piece. And Wilkins' updated arrangement of Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia" features the versatile ensemble filling in marimbas and other keyboard-based instrumentations for the composition's usual string section. "This is a unique collection of percussion works," Wilkins said. "Each composition has its own distinct personality, but the tracks all complement each other and their transitions are almost seamless." Wilkins arrived at UH in 1997 with the goal of creating a world-class percussion ensemble, and in 2003, his group took top honors in the prestigious Percussive Arts Society Percussion International Ensemble Competition. This award led to a performance at that year's Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Louisville, Ky., which helped propel the group's reputation globally. "Winning this competition and performing before some of the foremost percussionists of the world was indication that this ensemble had truly arrived," Wilkins said. "Because the music we performed for the competition had been rehearsed to the peak of perfection for our convention showcase, and because the compositions themselves are so extraordinary, producing a subsequent compact disc was a natural outgrowth of winning the competition." Since arriving at UH, Wilkins expanded the number of percussion students from eight to 25 undergraduate and graduate percussionists. Students in the percussion studies program can receive the following degrees: Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts. "There was a time when the concentration was more oriented towards orchestral percussion, then it shifted its focus towards drums and ethnic percussion," he said. "What we're doing now is somewhat more comprehensive, diversifying the scope of percussion studies." One of the program's most popular ensembles is the steel drum band, the PANtagonists, which is not featured on "Surge." The group brings its light hearted and energetic performances to festivals and events around the city. The cover art on "Surge" was painted by UH School of Art students Julie De Vries and Adam Malek. The compact disc can be ordered from Albany Records Web site at <a href="http://www.albanyrecords.com/" eudora="autourl"> www.albanyrecords.com</a>. The UH Percussion Ensemble's next performance is April 10 in the Moores Opera House. For more details on the ensemble or percussion studies, visit <a href="http://www.uh.edu/percussion/" eudora="autourl"> www.uh.edu/percussion/</a>. About the University of Houston The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students. For more information about UH visit the university's 'Newsroom' at <a href="http://www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom" eudora="autourl"> www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom</a>.</blockquote> </body> </html>