Top: Tuba player Grant Ryan performs his solo piece. The night offered three soloists which included a flute solo, a trumpet solo and Ryan’s tuba solo. Bottom: Members of the percussion ensemble perform a piece using bows and a xylophone. This piece had a very mystical and majestic type of sound to it.
Hunter Fullhart
Photography & Social Media Editor
Instrumental music is different from vocal music in the sense that your creativity comes from your breath or your hands, rather than your vocal chords. It gives students creative freedom to express themselves through a piece of brass, steel or even wood. On Tuesday, April 18, the Butler Instrumental Music Program held its Chamber Ensemble Recitals in the Kansas Room in the 1500 building. The event was free to the public and it gave students a chance to show what they could do.
The night was full of beautiful music from a wide range of instruments. From trumpet to alto saxophone, each piece of music was unique to the performer, and one could tell the different styles of the performers.
“The Chamber Recital is an opportunity for our students who are participating in our Chamber Ensembles to perform in a concert dedicated to that style of music,” Professor of Instrumental Music Brett Martinez said. “That is, solo and small group performances in a more intimate setting. The instrumentation and style of these ensembles changes from semester to semester, based on student interest and availability. We currently have a Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. We also have three soloists performing tonight. They were recommended by their applied instructors.”
Students were very excited to get to perform in the recital. It offered a change in performance style from a larger setting to a more personal setting.
“I personally like bigger concerts with all of the various groups playing because I feel like it is less pressure,” sophomore Stacy Tuxhorn said. “When playing in a recital your group might only be performing one song, so it has to be close to perfect if not already there.”
The event allowed anyone from Butler or the general community to view the recital. It gave concert-goers an up-close and personal experience with the student performers.
“This evening was marvelous,” said El Dorado resident Daniel Tracy. “I always love coming to Butler to hear the instrumental concerts and recitals because I myself prefer this over vocal music. This recital was different because I was about seven feet away from the performers. I could feel their passion and energy.”
Overall, this gave students a chance to show people what is hiding in room 725. The notes were flowing, the creativity was evident and overall, it was a night for patrons to take in all the sounds Butler Community College’s Instrumental Music Program has to offer to the ears of many.