Percussion ensemble beats the rain

LANCASTER - A Festival favorite for twenty years, the Lancaster High School Percussion Ensemble had audience members on their feet asking for more during Friday's performance at the bandstand.

Protected under a series of pop-up tents, the 20 musicians performed before a large and enthusiastic, if slightly damp, crowd that included young percussionists wielding imaginary mallets and drumsticks.

From Broadway to big band, ragtime to rock, the ensemble offered a little something for everyone, opening with "Classic Styx."

Handbells and marimba featured in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Memory" from "Cats."

"Within Attraction," a Yanni favorite, showcased timbales, drum set, vibe and marimba.

Xylophone solos, with mallets a blur,included "Xylophonia" by Mallory Good, Kallan Imhoff with "Dotty Dimples," Noah Raddatz performing "Triplets" and "Fluffy Ruffles" by David Deitz.

"Fooling Yourself," another Styx standby, featured synthesizer solos.

The ensemble opened with "Lalopalooza" by clapping their hands, then got into their groove on vibraphone, conga, drum set and timbales.

David Deitz again took center stage, this time on drum set, in "Rush VI." The tempo softened a bit as Yanni's "Marching Season" commenced, then built with piano and marimba.

For their final number, the percussionists swung into "Invisible Touch" by Genesis.

A standing ovation demands an encore, and the Benny Goodman/Gene Krupa fans were rewarded with "Sing, Sing, Sing."

Music has been a part of Dietz's life since he took piano lessons in first grade, he said. His final performance was "bittersweet."

"Around next spring, I will feel lost," he said.

He laments that he'll miss the friends he's made in ensemble. With plans to take a break from music, Dietz will major in software engineering at Miami University.

Smiling and excited to be making music "because she loves it,"  Ashley Mendez reflected on her departure from high school and the group. She said percussion director Bruce Gerken helps his students develop leadership skills.

"He may be tough, but he has his softer side. He pushes you to your best ability," she said.

Gerken formed the Percussion Ensemble in 1978 to encourage further study and development of skills on a variety of instruments. While mallets may drive a song, Gerken's arrangements and the musicians showcase many percussive and keyboard instruments and styles.

Yanni drummer Charlie Adams joined the ensemble for its spring concert and offered workshops for students.

The Percussion Ensemble has performed at conventions and for professional and service organizations across the country. It was featured during the 2015 Christmas Candlelight tour and last month, for the third time, it performed at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina.