From Ghana to Hollywood
This inventive program traces the evolution of musical forms and styles from West African drumming to Western European classical music and concludes with famous cartoon music, with an emphasis on the cultural significance of each musical selection. This talented trio demonstrates the versatility of instruments from the percussion family, including xylophone, marimba, snare drum, drum set, and various Latin percussion instruments. Students will experience the diverse tonal spectrum of the percussion family, and several will join the group on stage. The trio performs Daniel Levitan's Variations on a Ghanaian Theme, Maurice Ravel's Bolero, Peter Tchaikovsky's Trepak from The Nutcracker, George Hamilton Green's Chromatic Foxtrot and The Whistle, Robert Chappell's For Lack of Better Words, and a medley of Hollywood cartoon themes.

Grades: 2-8
Audience limit: 250
Single: $780
2 back-to-back programs: $1,170
Travel: $50


Workshop: Introduction to Latin Percussion
This workshop, available after a performance, provides students hands-on experience with a variety of Latin percussion instruments including congas, bongos, timbales, claves, cowbell, and guiro. Emphasis is placed on proper sound production, the wide variety of Latin music styles including bolero and guaguanco, and ensemble performance techniques.

Grades: 5-8
25 students per class
$300 per workshop following performance



Residency: Fundamentals of Percussion Music (for music students)
Students will learn about fundamental musical concepts including rhythm, meter, melody, harmony, ostinato and improvisation. A wide variety of pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments are used to illustrate these concepts while giving students the opportunity to participate. UnCommon Time will work with instrumental music students to develop correct techniques on each of the percussion instruments, and students will work toward performing basic percussion ensemble arrangements.

Grades: 5-12
25 students per class
$475 per class with the trio
$10 material fee