Program Notes by Paul Hyde
Works for Percussion
Percussion instruments were humankind’s first musical instruments.

The beat of drums likely constituted the first music, with rhythm predating melody and harmony.

In today’s symphony orchestras, percussionists are often hidden in the back of the sea of instruments. 

But when percussionists play, they usually make a big impact.

The thunder of timpani, the crash of cymbals and the ringing of bells add power, punch and color to any orchestral work.

In this program, Movers, Shakers, and Noise-Makers, percussionists will take center stage.

The all-percussion concerts feature six Greenville Symphony percussionists along with 13 percussionists from Furman University.

Emceed by the Greenville Symphony’s timpanist Daniel Kirkpatrick, the program is designed to appeal to the whole family, introducing young people to percussion instruments and offering opportunities for audience participation.

Works were chosen by Furman University Professor of Music Omar Carmenates and Greenville Symphony Acting Principal Percussionist Wesley Strasser.

Both tuned and untuned percussion will be featured in various combinations. Tuned percussion includes instruments such as marimba, vibraphone and timpani while untuned percussion includes cymbals, triangle and tambourine. 

A piece called “Press” by Grammy nominee Devonte Hynes will spotlight three marimba players and a vibraphone player.

Drew Worden’s “Escape” is composed for six triangles. Julie Davila’s piece “Dimensions” will feature five tambourines.

At least one work will include the entire 13-member group playing on an array of percussion instruments.

Today, professional percussionists must be highly versatile, equipped to handle a wide variety of instruments.

Carmenates, for his part, occasionally performs with the Greenville Symphony’s percussion section, but also is a composer and audio engineer who occasionally plays drums with country and rock bands. That’s in addition to serving as the Charles E. Daniel Professor of Music at Furman University.

“I try to be ready for whatever may come my way,” he said.

Carmenates, who was born in New York City and grew up in Florida, got his start playing in a roving drum band at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.

Paul Hyde, a longtime Upstate arts journalist, is an English instructor at Tri-County Technical College. He writes regularly for the Greenville Journal, the S.C. Daily Gazette, EarRelevant, ArtsATL, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Readers may write to him at pah598@g.harvard.edu.

Concert Hall Series
Saturday performances at 7:30
Sunday at 3:00 pm

Opening Night: Hollywood Retrospective
October 4 & 5

An American in Paris
November 22 & 23

Dvořák’s Cello Concerto
February 7 & 8

Grand Canyon Suite + Rachmaninoff 2
March 14 & 15

West Side Story Symphonic Dances 
+ Fanfare for the Common Man
April 11 & 12

Season Finale: Porgy and Bess
May 16 & 17

Gunter Theatre Series
Peter and the Wolf
November 1 at 3:00 pm
November 2 at 3:00 pm

Dvořák’s American String Quartet
February 14 at 7:30 pm 
February 15 at 3:00 pm

The Last Five Years:
American Music Now
March 28 at 7:30 pm
March 29 at 3:00 pm

Dicey Langston: 
The South Carolina Girl Who Defied an Army
April 25 at 3:00 pm
April 26 at 3:00 pm

Special Concerts
Holiday at Peace
December 12 at 7:00 pm
December 13 at 7:00 pm
December 14 at 2:00 pm
Peace Center

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ in Concert
January 10 at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm 
January 11 at 2:00 
Peace Center

Chamber Music Series
American Echoes: from Apollo to Bluegrass
September 23 at 5:30 pm, Warehouse Theatre
September 24 at 7:00 pm, Hotel Hartness

Rhythms of the Night: A Tango Affair
February 24 at 5:30 pm, Centre Stage

Details and tickets available at greenvillesymphony.org