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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Graduating percussionist to present cultural work

    An upcoming lecture recital, titled “A Musical Essence of Japan,” takes a cultural approach to percussions while using a variety of non-traditional accompanying instruments.   
    Joshua Dunn, a music graduate student, will perform “Marimba Spiritual” by Minoru Miki, a 38-page piece. For the discussion component Dunn will explain the Japanese influence and demonstrate the instrumental variety of the piece. Everyone is invited to attend the performance in Pottle Annex Recital Hall at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.
    “If you want a taste of Japanese culture, you will certainly get it here,” said Dunn. “The piece was intentionally written to be performed for general audiences so it will be enjoyable for musicians and non-musicians alike.”
    Benjamin Livingston, Joseph Powell and Michael Rivera, all Southeastern music students, will assist Dunn on a variety of instruments including a bell plate, earth plates, bongos, crotales, temple blocks, the atarigane, opera gongs, wind gong, small concert gong, log drum and a taiko, which is a small Japanese drum.
    “These guys were chosen because they all have the technical abilities needed to perform the piece properly,” said Dunn. “They are also all extremely dependable.”
    The piece was chosen primarily for its historical and international value.
    “‘Marimba Spiritual’ is a staple for all marimba playing throughout the world,” said Dunn. “It made history by being the first piece written for a five-octave marimba.”  
    Since picking up the drum sticks for his parent’s gospel band at three years old, Dunn has accumulated extensive teaching and professional experience with percussions.  
    Some highlights of his professional experience include leading a band he organized, “Seven Day Sacrifice,” which toured 12 states and recorded four CDs from 2003 through 2006, competing in WGI Percussion World Championships in 2005, performing as the set drummer for the Southeastern Jazz Ensemble, Basketball Pep Band and Marching Band, as well as playing as the current set drummer for the rock band, “River City Hit Squad.”
    Dunn has taught percussion in the Livingston Parish School System, Westside Jr. High School Band program, Livingston Parish Honor Band Percussion Tech, Walker High School Drum line and more.
    Dunn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at Southeastern in Dec. 2011. In May 2014 he will graduate with a Master of Arts degree in Music. Throughout his collegiate experience, Dunn has been required to learn many orchestra instruments and other traditional instruments.
    “So I have played all the instruments, but for the past quarter-century, drums have been my favorite,” said Dunn. “After all, they rock the house, don’t you think?”
    Dunn pointed out Tren Ingolia, a junior high band director at Westside Jr. High in Walker, La., and Kevin Estoque, percussion instructor at Southeastern as professional role models.
    “Kevin has been a huge influence on the way I play and has introduced me to more styles of drumming than I ever knew existed,” said Dunn. “On top of that, he has been a very good friend to me. I admire both of these people greatly and would not be where I am today without both of them.”
    Dunn’s future plans include relocating to Texas in search of positions for a high school or junior college percussion instructor, primarily to teach the drum line.
    “It has been said that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” said Dunn. “I don’t plan on working.”
    For more information on the upcoming performance and other university musical performances, contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at 985-549-2184 or by emailing [email protected].
     

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