The Percussion Ensemble, led by conductor, Shota Otaguro, offers an opportunity for student musicians to perform percussion music from the 20th and 21st centuries. Members are encouraged to play many different percussion instruments including timpani, snare drum, bass drum, accessory instruments, and mallets such as xylophone, and marimba, as well as ethnic percussion. Students are taught valuable chamber music skills and instructed on performing technique, proper set up of multiple percussion parts, playing advanced rhythms and proper care of instruments.
The Ensemble is comprised of two groups:
- Yellow Group – Students who have some experience in percussion, such as having taken private lessons in percussion or having had experience in a Percussion Ensemble. This class will introduce more detailed percussion techniques on snare, mallets and timpani. At the end of each set, the ensemble will perform two contrasting pieces that are easy-to-medium level of difficulty.
- Blue Group – Students that have extensive musical experience and well-developed percussion playing skills. Students will continue to polish standard percussion techniques on snare, timpani, and will begin developing four-mallet playing techniques. At the end of each set, they will play three contrasting pieces, that will range from medium easy to medium level pieces.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held on Sundays from 10 am – 11 am (Yellow Group), from 11:15 am – 12:45 pm (Blue Group), and from 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm (Purple Group), in the Band Room of Monta Vista High School, located at 21840 McClellan Road, Cupertino CA 95014. (map)
Concerts
The Percussion Ensemble perform two concerts each season with the Concert Winds and Saxophone Ensembles at Valley Christian High School’s Conservatory of the Arts. Admission is $5 for adults, and $3 for students and seniors.