What: Media release for performance at the Kennedy Center
Who: Written for Radford University Department of Music
When: 2015
Where: Published in the New River Valley section of the Roanoke Times, Radford News Journal and the Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts
Why: Part of the PR efforts for this department
Photo by Leslie King
Just two weeks into the spring semester, the Radford University Percussion Ensemble performs Feb. 3 on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington.
Rob Sanderl, assistant professor of music and director of the RU percussion program, leads the ensemble of 13 percussionists. The members include RU students Cary Anderson, Sean Brazel, Katelyn Dobbins, Coleman Gilleland, Erica Johnson, Chris Livernois, Jesse Lykins, Jeremy Marks, Andrew Mercado, Becky Schwab, Michael Strange, John Watson and Bethany Zalecki.
At a social function, Sanderl met Rep. Bob Goodlatte from the 6th District of Virginia. During their conversation Sanderl mentioned he wanted the ensemble to perform at the Kennedy Center. Goodlatte agreed to help make this goal happen.
“We were put in contact with the director of Millennium Stage, who requested we submit videos of the group for consideration, and after doing so we were invited to perform,” Sanderl said.
The program for this performance features selections from the RU Percussion Ensemble fall concert along with one additional unique piece. An RU guest artist from the Amadinda Percussion Group composed this while visiting with the ensemble in December.
“During the visit the members of Amadinda worked on the piece, making our students the only musicians in the Western Hemisphere to have had such an experience, and ultimately inside knowledge regarding the performance of the work,” Sanderl said.
Since returning from winter break, the ensemble immediately began intense rehearsals for this performance opportunity. According to Sanderl not playing the program pieces for over a month and getting the group back up to performance quality in less than two weeks is the biggest challenge. He believes the students are up to the task.
Members performed last weekend for the Percussive Arts Society North Carolina Day of Percussion. Their schedule also includes several performances and recruiting opportunities at high schools in the Northern Virginia area.
“This is a unique opportunity for our students to perform in this prestigious venue, showcasing our student performers and representing RU in the most positive light, while recruiting for our department, college, and ultimately the entire university,” said Al Wojtera, chair of the Department of Music.
The Millennium Stage, located in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center, offers free daily performances. The RU Percussion Ensemble performs at 6 p.m. Feb. 3. During this time, this concert is also broadcast live on www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/.