Springtime Concert by the Music School's Percussion Group in 2020
The UCLA Percussion Ensemble recently presented an extraordinary performance of "Scavenger Music" by Christopher Deane, showcasing the students' creativity and resourcefulness in overcoming unforeseen challenges. This unique rendition of the composition was designed to promote the health and safety of the School of Music community, as well as to navigate the ongoing pandemic challenges.
The ensemble, led by Lecturer of Percussion Performance, Theresa Dimond, exhibits the talent and creativity of its members by using everyday household items as instruments. In this performance, unconventional instruments such as tissue boxes, pots, bottles, and kitchen utensils are transformed into sources of rhythm and sound, breaking conventional boundaries of musical performance.
Innovation and Sustainability
The ensemble's approach to percussion music is innovative in several ways. By using household items, the performance emphasizes environmental consciousness—reducing the need for specialized instruments—and makes music-making more accessible to a broader audience. The diverse sounds produced by these objects encourage exploration of textures, dynamic contrasts, and complex rhythms, pushing the boundaries of contemporary percussion music.
This performance is inspired by the works of John Cage, Lou Harrison, and gamelan music, and it reflects the DIY spirit among musicians and listeners. It fosters creativity and encourages people to experiment with sound production in their own environments.
Engaging Audiences
The novelty of seeing common objects transformed into instruments often fascinates and captivates audiences, making classical percussion music more relatable and engaging. The performance can reflect everyday life and community, connecting music with personal and shared experiences.
Performances like this can appeal to diverse audiences beyond traditional classical or percussion music fans, expanding the reach of contemporary ensemble work. The UCLA Percussion Ensemble's "Scavenger Music" thus stands as a significant example of musical innovation that blends creativity, education, sustainability, and audience interaction, enriching contemporary percussion practice and appreciation.
Diversity and Collaboration
The UCLA Percussion Ensemble includes students from a variety of programs and majors, such as performance, music education, global jazz, non-music majors, and graduate music majors. This collaboration to develop a performance using household items fosters a sense of unity and resilience within the School of Music community.
The ensemble's performance of "Scavenger Music" showcases resilience and resourcefulness in the face of unforeseen challenges, demonstrating the adaptability and ingenuity of the School of Music community during these unprecedented times.
- The UCLA Percussion Ensemble's unique use of everyday household items as instruments, such as tissue boxes, pots, bottles, and kitchen utensils, not only promotes sustainability by reducing the need for specialized instruments, but also makes education in music more accessible and entertaining for a wider audience.
- By blending novelty, ingenuity, and collaboration, the performance of "Scavenger Music" by the UCLA Percussion Ensemble breaks conventional boundaries of musical performance and fosters creativity, reflecting the DIY spirit among musicians while engaging audiences beyond traditional classical or percussion music fans.
