NIU Percussion Ensemble Winter Concert

NIU Percussion Ensemble
Gregory Beyer and Ben Wahlund, Directors
Austyn Menk, piano

Winter Concert
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
7:00 pm
Boutell Memorial Concert Hall





Concert Program
Program
REFLECTION IN WHITE John Wolff (b. 2003)

BERIMBAU QUINTET NO. 1, “SOLKATTU” Gregory Beyer (b. 1973)

AWAY IN A MANGER Mack Wilberg (b. 1955)
arr. Lisa Rogers and Richard Gipson

HANNUKAH TARANTELLA David Polansky (b. 1973)
Paul Kassel, voice
Austyn Menk, piano

“SLAY” RIDE Leroy Anderson (b. 1908)
arr. Jesse Mattson
Members of the NIU Music Education Percussion Methods Class
Jonathan Lucke, director

DEFYING GRAVITY from WICKED Steven Schwartz (b. 1948)
arr. John Wolff
Sarah Calgaro, voice
Allison Wilson, voice

INTER-“MISSION”
with a special appearance by NIU’s very own Huskie mascot, Mission

PILLAR II Andy Akiho (b. 1979)

SILENT CAROL (World Premiere) Brian Penkrot (b. 1978)

OH COME, OH COME, EMMANUEL Thomas Helmore (1811-1890)
Austyn Menk, piano

RIO MANZANARE Alicia Jaggasar
arr. Nathan Guerra
Members of the NIU Steel Pan Studio

MYSTERY BOX SIGHTREADING arr. Ben Wahlund
Audience members are invited to sight-read with us on stage and/or sing along.

Rosters
NIU Percussion Ensemble Personnel
D’Andre Atkins Wheaton, IL Bianca Lange Mt. Prospect, IL
Christopher Avila Algonquin, IL Nolan Leegard Elgin, IL
Lotus Barnes Skokie, IL Jonathan Lucke Las Vegas, NV
Jenna Brown Naperville, IL Rose Malcome Rockford, IL
Connor Butler Mebane, NC Chase Milan West Dundee, IL
Axel Capetillo Glendale Heights, IL Evan Miller Lincoln, NE
Will Carr Crystal Lake, IL Jacob Morgan Iowa City, IA
Emma Cho Winfield, IL Lukas Nagler Lisle, IL
Orion Denton Zion, IL Felix Podschweit Sugar Grove, IL
Brayden Dulin Woodstock, IL Liam Pummer Aurora, IL
Gabe Greenfield Dixon, IL Morgan Tipton Metamora, IL
Talia Grzelak Elgin, IL Kai Weems West Chicago, IL
Delaney Jacobi Cedar Rapids, IA John Wolff The Woodlands, TX
Skyla Johnson Westmont, IL Jenna Zimmerman Cortland, IL


NIU Steelpan Studio Members
Tenors Cellos
Keon Baptiste Port of Spain, Trinidad Kijuana Duplessis St. Johns, Antigua
Jalen Charles St. James, Trinidad Josiah Didier Mt. Hope, Trinidad
Tiajuana Hernandez St. Joseph, Trinidad
Double Tenors Bass
Rashunda Dorset-Headley Tunapuna, Trinidad Alma Perrote Belize City, Belize
Danny Clements DeKalb, IL
Double Seconds Percussion
Jawan Henry St. Johns, Antigua Nathaniel Guerra (Maracas) Arima, Trinidad
Shaliyah Young (Scracher) Belize City, Belize
Ray Sparman (Drumkit) Guyana
Lotus Barnes (Electric Bass)
Connor Butler (Toc-Toc)


2025 NIU Music Education Percussion Methods Class
Hunter Otgontseren Vernon Hills, IL Nathan Stade Aurora, IL
Christian Barraza Norridge, IL Zinnia Wedige Verona, WI
Christian Martinez Mt. Prospect, IL Laura Gonzalez Palatine, IL
Jenessa Bowen East Peoria, IL Vince Giunta Algonquin, IL
Felix Fodschweit Sugar Grove, IL Frank Vyverberg Palatine, IL
Tessa Kerkman Sheridan, IL Danny Clements DeKalb, IL
Jonathan Alanis Rochelle, IL Shaliyah Young Belize City, Belize
Colin Davidenko Glen Ellyn, IL Alma Perrote Belize City, Belize