BRATTLEBORO — The UMass Percussion Ensemble performs at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) on Saturday, March 5, at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door, free for BMAC members and youth 18 and under.
The concert includes traditional music for Ghanaian xylophone; an array of 20th century works by composers such as Maurice Ravel, John Cage, Paul Lansky, and others; and music composed as recently as 2015 by Argentine composer Alejandro Vinao.
“We are in the business of nurturing contemporary creative expression,” said BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld. “Usually that's in the form of visual art, but when we have the opportunity to present outstanding music and musicians, we love to do so."
The UMass Percussion Ensemble consists of undergraduate and graduate percussion students at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The ensemble is directed by Ayano Kataoka, a percussionist known for her brilliant and dynamic technique as well as the unique elegance and artistry she brings to her performances.
A leading proponent of contemporary repertoire, Kataoka has participated in several consortiums to commission new works for solo marimba or chamber ensemble. The musicians performing at BMAC on March 5 include Alex Alvarino, Alex Beltran, Lauren Chiodo, Aaron di Pilla, Paul Downing, Kyle DuBois, Lindsey Hartfelder, Seth Lampert, Rose Martin, Max Newman, Rob Rocheteau, and Brittany Ware.