Kelly Lawrie, Percussion
Kelly Lawrie is an ardent musician, currently advancing her studies in Music Education and Performance at West Chester University. Hailing from Downingtown, PA, she has honed her skills as a classically trained percussionist. Kelly has been privileged to share the stage as a part of numerous esteemed ensembles at West Chester University, including the Wind Symphony and Percussion Ensemble.
Beyond the stage, Kelly is a dedicated advocate for the power of music education. She understands that the next generation of musicians is just waiting to be inspired and believes firmly in giving back to the community that has nurtured her growth. Through teaching lessons, marching band, and community engagement, Kelly aims to ignite a passion for percussion and music in others. As Kelly Lawrie continues to evolve as a percussionist, their journey is a testament to the transformative power of music.
Abby Walton, Marimba
Abby is currently in her second year of undergraduate studies at West Chester University, where she majors in Instrumental Performance. She is a member of both the West Chester University Percussion Ensemble and WCU Symphonic Orchestra and will perform with the Chester County Pops Orchestra this summer. She is also an active teacher in the Phoenixville area and with a strong passion for research. Outside of music, Abby enjoys exploring downtown, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Insomnia,CodyHolmes(b. 1995)
Insomnia is an intricate marimba duet with rich harmonies and unique melodic passages. The piece is meant to, “portray the free and flowing nature of human spirit.” It is reminiscent of the brain’s state right before sleep, not asleep but not fully conscious. This duet couples high technical demands with rubato melodic ideas often played at the same time. This relationship creates a unique soundscape for the performer and listeners.
RiteofWay,IanT.Jones(b. 1993)
This piece is inspired by the bombastic and exciting music from Igor Stravinsky’s, “The Rite of Spring.” Throughout the piece, Jones uses many motifs from Stravinsky’s work and compliments them with nifty embellishments. This piece highlights the technical challenges of hand independence, drum crossings, and numerous polyrhythms.
SkyeBoatsong,TraditionalScottishFolkSongArr.EvelynGlennie(b. 1965)
This choral is an arrangement by Evelyn Glennie from her book Marimba Encores. This piece is based on a traditional Scottish folk song with a rich story behind it. The original Gaelic version of the song was composed by William Ross called Cuachag nan Craobh ("Cuckoo of the Tree"). The song is a lament about the composer’s unrequited love rejecting him.
In the 19th century, the lyrics changed to tell the story of Prince Charles Edward Steward or Bonnie Prince Charlie. After the failed Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 that ended in the Battle of Culloden, the British were ruthlessly searching to Capture the Prince. There was even a reward of £30,000 to turn in the Bonnie Prince- this amount would have been a large fortune at the time. Yet, no one betrayed the Bonnie Prince to the British. Eventually, the Bonnie Prince was able to escape on a rowboat from the Isle of Skye dressed as a woman posing as a maid to Fionnghal (Flora) McDonald. After many weeks of rough living, the Prince escaped back to France on the French naval ship L’Heureux. The lyrics capture the Scottish people’s hope that even though they were defeated, Bonnie Prince Charlie would come back and free the Scottish People from the control of the British.
Lyrics:
Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward! the sailor’s cry: Carry the lad that's born to be king, Over the sea to Skye.
Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclaps rend the air.
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore, Follow they will not dare.
Many's the lad, fought on that day, Well, the claymore did wield
When the night came, silently lay, Dead on Culloden's field.
Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep, Ocean's a royal bed.
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep,
Watch by your weary head.
Burned are their homes, exile, and death, Scatter the loyal men.
Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath, Charlie will come again.
AMinuteofNews,EugeneNovotney(b. 1960)
A Minute of News is a cornerstone of the modern snare drum repertoire. Novotney was inspired by trap set players being able to get a variety of sounds just out of one drum. This piece utilizes multiple different implements including sticks, a brush, a timpani mallet, and the player's hands. With all these unique sounds, this piece is very eclectic but most of all groovy!
ThePathBeforeMe,WalterMertens(b. 1965)
This solo is adapted from a larger concertino for solo vibraphone and orchestra/wind ensemble entitled, “Song of the Open Road.” Walter Mertens was inspired by the first verses of Walt Whitman’s poem Song of the Open Road. This piece is meant to represent the many paths you can take in your lifetime, and how different everyone’s journey can be. But no matter where your journey takes you, you will always end up exactly where you need to be.
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune, Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, Strong and content I travel the open road.
-Walt Whitman Song of the Open RoadTo my Parents and Family, thank you for your immense support throughout my life and especially during college. While our family has gone through a lot in the past few years, I could not be happier that everyone is here to celebrate the end of my undergraduate studies with me.
To Mr. German and Jesse Valencia, thank you for believing in me when I was in High school. I became a music teacher because I saw how you both were able to make a difference and inspire your students. I hope I am doing the same with my students today. I can see how much of an undertaking being a teacher can be without much credit, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you, Professor Nelson and Professor Behrenshausen! You both have been a wonderful source of knowledge and support while I have been a student here. You are both wonderful people and educators who foster a community of students who all respect and support each other.
Thank you to all my peers in the percussion studio. You are all so funny and it warms my heart to see how much we are all able to support each other in their accomplishments. I hope that all of you know that placements and scores do not define your worth as a percussionist or a person. The only thing that matters is if you are happy and confident in yourself.
I want to extend an extra thank you to the women of the percussion studio. I hope you never let anyone tell you that you are not good enough, because it’s just not true. You are all strong and can do anything you put your mind to. I hope to see every one of you kick butt and take names in whatever you choose to do in the future.