02 Mar 2015 UCA to host annual percussion festival

Percussionists from around Arkansas will be at the University of Central Arkansas Saturday, March 7, for UCA’s annual Percussion Festival.

Guests of all ages and skill level are invited to attend this free educational event. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day. Registration begins at 11 a.m., followed by the festival at noon, then the Grand Finale Concert at 5:30 p.m. All events will be in the Snow Fine Arts Center on the UCA campus.

Scott Johnson, Escape X, Brandon Alanis and Blake Tyson are this year’s clinicians. Lakeside High School Percussion Ensemble from Hot Springs and the Beggs High School Percussion Ensemble from Beggs, Okla., both of which are directed by UCA alumni, will perform. The Grand Finale Concert will include performances by the UCA Percussion Ensemble and the guest artists.

Dr. Blake Tyson, one of the clinicians as well as associate professor of percussion at UCA, said he was intrigued by the diversity of those who take part in the festival. "One of the things I love about the festival is that it brings together many generations of percussionists,” he said. “Young students who are just starting out experience performances by talented college students; college students meet successful educators and performers in their field; and everyone is inspired by the amazing guest artists."

For more information, contact Tyson at [email protected] or visit blaketyson.com/percussionfestival/.