Notice Board

Around the World in One Night

Tradition continues as the Global Drums Christmas Concert approaches. Hitting the University Theatre Dec. 11, 2015 at 7:30 pm, the audience can expect all of the excitement of world music as well as some special arrangements. 

“This has been an exciting year for Percussion at the U of L,” says director, Adam Mason. “As a collective we won the Outstanding Chapter Award 2015 from the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) out of 50 U.S. state chapters, the Canadian Province chapters and 30 countries.  The award was presented to us at the PAS International Convention in San Antonio with 6,700 attendees.  It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for Global Drums to perform in concert among the elite of the elite and to receive the award. Of the 10, 000 members of the PAS, our group was chosen.” The percussive ensemble also went on a tour of Hong Kong where they performed and learned traditional Chinese drumming this summer.

Global Drums started as a group of four and has now grown past 40 members and acquired one of the largest collections of world instruments in Canada. “It is a both a community group and an elite group for percussion music majors,” explains Mason. ”Teachers, students, all walks of life at all performance levels play world music while percussion majors perform cutting edge repertoire to prepare them for professional life.” 

This year’s Christmas concert promises all of the same Global Drums pizazz with steel drum pieces, taiko pieces, and even some Brazilian samba. “Joe Porter (assistant director) and I went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year to learn a brand new style of samba from Bahia.”

Featuring specials guests U of L Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Choir,  the Jumani Duo and more, Mason says they’re showcasing it all. “There’s going to be lots of funny stuff. My West Virginia hillbilly alter ego, Joe Moats with the Moatsville Jug Band, will perform. There might even be a little Victor Borge shtick. Just lots of fun for everyone.”

The ensemble will play the 12 days of Christmas with each day highlighting a different world genre, and a piece entitled Crown of Thorns, which Mason says while insanely beautiful is one of the hardest pieces in the repertoire - “And they’re playing the heck out of it!” 

Mason has also composed a very special arrangement of Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now for the steel drum. It is meant to be a memorial piece for a family friend who was tragically killed while training with his wife on her triathlon bike by a driver talking on a cell phone. Mason hopes this tribute will help raise awareness for safe driving practices and the importance of no cellphones while behind the wheel.

With promises of a little something for everyone, Mason wants to remind the audience to get their tickets early! “Global Drums is always a sell-out show.”  You will not want to miss the fun and excitement of world music with this special Christmas Concert.