Ensembles
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES
The Sam Houston Percussion Group, under the direction of John Lane, is an advanced percussion chamber music ensemble of 6 to 8 players. The Percussion Group is featured during the annual Contemporary Music Festival. It is during this festival that the ensemble will perform new and commissioned works. While the performance of new music is the primary focus, the ensemble also strives to perform in a variety of formats including jazz, ragtime, pop, and other world music styles. In addition, the ensemble performs works in the standard repertoire for percussion ensemble which include the music of composers such as John Cage, Henry Cowell, Lou Harrison, Steve Reich, Amadeo Roldan, and Edgar Varese.
The Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Brandon Bell, is typically a larger ensemble with a more pedagogical focus. This ensemble performs works from the standard repertoire for percussion ensemble, as well as pop and world music selections.
Admission to both Percussion Ensembles are by audition only.
SAM HOUSTON STEEL
All students, regardless of major or previous experience, have the opportunity to participate in the SHSU Steel Band. The Steel Band, founded by John Lane in 2006, performs a wide variety of music including traditional Caribbean styles such as the calypso and soca as well as arrangements of popular, jazz, classical, and latin styles. Because of the nature of the ensemble, participation also allows students to learn improvisation and arranging. The Steel Band also allows students to perform in a variety of settings on campus and in the community.
All students, regardless of major or previous experience, have the opportunity to participate in the SHSU Steel Band. The Steel Band, founded by John Lane in 2006, performs a wide variety of music including traditional Caribbean styles such as the calypso and soca as well as arrangements of popular, jazz, classical, and latin styles. Because of the nature of the ensemble, participation also allows students to learn improvisation and arranging. The Steel Band also allows students to perform in a variety of settings on campus and in the community.
