UNC Percussion Ensemble
The UNC Percussion Ensemble, directed by Juan lamo, is an integral part of the percussion curriculum at UNC. By introducing standard literature for classical percussion ensemble, as well as contemporary pieces that incorporate world music concepts and improvisation, this ensemble provides an essential component for percussionists’ musical development. Percussion Ensemble also supplies students opportunities to further develop technical and musical concepts learned in private lessons through performances of standard works by John Cage, Carlos Chavez, Michael Colgrass, Eric Ewazen, David Gillingham, David Maslanka, and Christopher Rouse, among others.
The UNC Percussion Ensemble rehearses Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30–1:45 p.m. throughout the academic year and performs one major concert each semester. In addition, students often have additional opportunities to perform alongside prominent percussion guest artists or in off-campus concerts. Recent guest artists have included Jon Metzger, Pius Cheung, Orlando Cotto, Ganesh Kumar, and Ted Piltzecker. Membership is open to all University members by audition, and interested individuals should contact Prof. Alamo (jalamo@email.unc.edu).
Below, you can watch the Percussion Ensemble performing Riba-Roja de Túria, composed and conducted by Juan Álamo, at the department Spectrum Concert on February 25, 2017.