RixStix performs on drums and piano

WILLY ROSE | Scroll Photography
The RixStix Percussion gro performs on the Barrus Concert Hall stage with a variety of drums. The history of the snare drum dates back to the Tabor, found in Medieval Europe and was a doubleheaded drum that had a single snare strand called a Tabor, according to the DrumMuffler website.

Percussionists performed a variety of songs in the Ruth H. Barrus Concert Hall June 20.

The percussionists included members of the RixStix percussion gro and members of the RixStix drum line.

A variety of composers were featured in the production, such as Paul Creston, David Taylor and Jared Spears.

“I was about nine when I realized that I wanted to perform,” said Joshua Jones, a freshman studying music performance. “When I first started drumming, I watched the movie ‘Drumline,’ and that really struck a chord and I liked it.”

Jones said actor Nick Cannon’s character in the movie influenced his desire to become a drummer.

“All he knew were the skills he was taught — he couldn’t really read music,” Jones said. “I didn’t want to be the kind of guy that could just play by ear, I wanted to learn how to read music as well.”

Percussionists from the RixStix drumline marched on stage, forming  a line and smiling as they performed and acted on stage.

“I really liked the song ‘Peter Gunn,’ as well as when they performed ‘Cartoon Music,’” said Emma Elizondo, a freshman majoring in marriage and family studies. “There was just a bunch of variety in the performances, and it was fun to know where the music was originally from.”

Elizondo said one thing that stood out to her was when they ended the performances by playing the hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Elizondo said the contrast between the two ways the instruments can be played is amazing.

The songs that were performed included “Ceremonial,” “Mosaics,” “Irish Tune from a Country Derry,” “Peter Gunn,” “Gross Concerto for Drum line,” “Cartoon Music,” “Afro-Amero,” “Solo Piano for Percussion,” and “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

“Solo Piano for Percussion,” a song composed by Christopher D. Walker, was performed in a unique manner. The performer didn’t use the keys to play solo notes, but hit the strings inside the piano with mallets and his bare hands.

RixStix will perform again during the world premiere of “Ezekiel: Sons of Man,” in Fall Semester 2013 and will be accompanied by the University Choir and Collegiate Singers.