The Maraca2 Percussion Duo from England will be performing a concert in the Recital Hall of the Bologna Performing Arts Center on the campus of Delta State University on October 31, 2011, at 7:30 pm. This concert is free and open to the public. The concert will be Halloween themed. Candy will be handed out, and costumes are highly encouraged.
Maraca2 percussion duos are one of the UK’s leading percussion ensembles and have performed as recitalists around the globe, from the Isle of Man to Argentina. Tim Palmer and Jason Huxtable met while studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire where they attained the highest degree classifications and now teach as tutors of mallet percussion.
Maraca2 performs regularly at percussion festivals worldwide and have appeared at major events including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, the International Marimba Convention in Minneapolis, the Fundación Cultural Percussion Festival in Argentina and Royal Northern College of Music Day of Percussion in Manchester. They have performed around Europe at festivals and music events including a recent televised live concert in Belgrade. Their media appearances also include coverage on the BBC including a live performance on BBC Wales. As one of Europe’s most commercially supported ensembles, they endorse Sabian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion and Marimba One marimbas.
The range of events the duo has presented has been notable in its variety, with performances in traditional recital settings, classical themed cruises, fashion shows, football clubs, and more. They wrote and performed the music for the opening ceremony of the European Athletics Indoor Championships at the National Indoor Arena, and performed at the opening of an Autumn/Winter Armani collection.
As passionate educators they involve themselves with projects across abilities and cultures ranging from improvisation workshops with primary school children to formal master-classes with doctoral students and professionals. In 2009, they carried out their first tour of the United States visiting major universities, giving master-classes and performances to great acclaim.
In addition to their involvement in the duo, Palmer and Huxtable maintain a busy freelance schedule based in the Midlands and regularly play with the region’s most established ensembles including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Shakespeare Company and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.
For more information contact Josh Armstrong, instructor of percussion/assistant director of bands, at 662-846-4611, jarmstrong@deltastate.edu.
