A Bangin’ Good Time!

By Larissa Lytwyn

You could say that, for Middle Gate students, September 12 started with a bang.

The New England Percussion Ensemble, a Massachusetts-based troupe of professional percussionists and educators, held two assemblies for students, first and second graders at 9:30 am and third and fourth graders a little more than an hour later.

The ensemble has performed in trios since its founding in 1992. In 1999, the group expanded its Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire playing field to Connecticut. Future plans include performances in Maine and Vermont.

“We play a lot of schools and Friends of the Library-sponsored events,” said percussionist Robert Otto. State residents Steven Collins and Sal Ranniello also performed September 12. The trio combines their impressive musical knowledge and performance ability with a comprehensive lesson on the history of percussion instruments. All this is delivered with witty banter, resulting in resonating booms of audience-engaging laughter.

Children and even faculty members are frequently drawn up front to play instruments — from maracas to plastic bags — with the trio.

“This was our first time at Middle Gate School,” said Mr Collins.

At the beginning of the performances, Mr Otto encouraged students to thank their parents, teachers, and administrators to bringing the New England Percussion Ensemble to school.

“The percussion family is the oldest musical family of all,” said Mr Otto. He explained how percussion instruments deviated from the three other primary musical families: strings, woodwinds, and brass.

“With percussion, you strike something,” Mr Otto said.

This “something,” it turned out, could be any number of things.

Early in the show, Mr Otto picked up an instrument that looked like a hollowed-out log. “In the old days, people might scrape out the inside of a log or strike stones together or kindle wood for sound,” he said. “While you may call this space a ‘hollow,’ we call it a ‘resonating chamber.’ Can you all say that?”

The children promptly repeated the important-sounding phrase.

“Now, you all have resonating chambers, too,” said Mr Otto. “Your mouth!”

The children giggled.

Mr Otto taught the group how using one’s own body could create sound — from slapping cheeks to popping gum.

Next, Mr Otto brought out a huge trash bag and began removing various items, including plastic tubing, plastic bags, and, to the delight of the audience, a rubber chicken!

The trio showed the group how the bags could be shaken and the tubes plucked to produce a surprisingly melodious sound.

Soon after, children and even teachers were encouraged to come forward and participate in playing various instruments — resulting at times in a somehow tuneful cacophony that seemed to almost shake the gymnasium’s walls.

After the performance, children and audience alike erupted into hearty applause.

For more information about the New England Percussion Ensemble, call 508-824-7128 or visit www.newenglandpercussion.com.