By Amelia Ward
Online Editor
Costa band program presented the annual Percussion Ensemble on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the small theater with percussion studio director Kevin Tran introducing the program and concert to guests.
Throughout the night, the Percussion Ensemble performed an array of percussion in several different genres of music. Chase Savela, Aliya Ahmed, Myles Idrovo and Luigi Salvaggio took the stage and began the performance with the classic rhythmic piece “Fractalia,” by Owen Clayton Condon.
“This year, there was a heavy focus on our keyboard percussion instruments, featuring a variety of styles, while featuring a few rhythmic percussion classics,” said Tran. “We hope you all enjoyed the concert and students’ hard work.”
Manhattan Beach rotary percussion contest winner Josephine Kennedy performed “Rain Dance,” by Alice Gomez. Kennedy played the melodic solo on a percussion marimba.
“For those of you who were here last year, our next performer was a crowd favorite,” said Tran. “Last year, his diverse arrangement of the Black Key’s songs took the crowd by surprise, and he’s back again for his final year to perform the very famous drum set, ‘Summer.’”
Senior drummer Paul Chen performed “Summer” by Joe Hiasashi. Chen’s drumline blended seamlessly with the Chamber Winds’ percussion recording and ignited the crowd, as expected.
“The students’ performances each had a unique rhythmic symphonic element I was excited to hear,” said audience member and xylophonist Brian Schultz, “The concert was a testament to the brilliance percussion brings to the world of music and Costa’s music program.”
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