Percussionists take center stage at Naperville Central Drumshow
Emerging from their usual perch in the shadows upstage, drums and drummers will take their turn in the spotlight Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6, when Drumshow comes to the Naperville Central High School auditorium.
“It's an opportunity for percussionists in the back of the room to come to the foreground,” said Brandon Estes, one of the show's two assistant directors.
The show, featuring Central student musicians, will focus on pieces for drums and other percussion instruments, including xylophones, vibraphones, glockenspiels, synthesizers and even pianos.
“The definition of a percussion instrument is anything that is struck,” said Estes, who also is director of the Marching Redhawks. Pianos are included because the keys cause hammers to strike strings that vibrate audibly.
The show's musical genres will include classical pieces and an homage to video games such as Pac-Man and Super Mario Brothers. There also will be percussion ensembles that perform chamber music-style pieces, he said.
A part of the two-plus hour show even features a dance number.
“I like to refer to it as more of a variety show,” Estes said. “We do a nice variety of different things. We also welcome some guest artists.”
Fourteen Naperville Central student musicians were cast in the show after a rigorous audition process.
“We hire judges to come in. It is considered to be one of our premier ensembles,” he said.
Estes shares assistant director duties with Brad Stirtz, a well-traveled teacher and choir director currently serving on the North Central College faculty. The show is directed by Tim Berg, a Chicago-based teacher and composer who runs Naperville Unit District 203's Steel Pan program and does a lot of the arrangements for the show.
Student musicians tend to flock to the Drumshow.
“It's a big deal for the kids,” Estes said. “This ensemble is probably one of those things that is a highlight of their high school career.”
Estes said the audition process begins in November, followed by a rehearsal schedule that requires the cast to meet every weekday from 6:15 to 7:30 a.m. beginning in January until the April show dates.
“It's a wonderful motivating factor for them with music education. They're very committed,” he said.
Senior Caleb Frank's appearance in the 2019 Drumshow will be his fourth.
“My dad was a garage band drummer. When I was in fourth grade, he ended up buying a drum set,” Frank said.
His older brother, Isaac, now studying music at Northwestern University, also got into drumming. It wasn't long before Frank followed their lead. “I play anything in the percussion world,” he said.
Frank looks forward to the show because he and his fellow cast members play so many types of music with a variety of instruments. But it's not just playing drums that he loves.
“We do a dance, actually, that I look forward to,” he said.
“I've loved performing music since I was 5. Music is a very integral part of my life,” said cast member John Pohovey, a senior at Central.
A member of marching band throughout his high school years, Pohovey is making his third Drumshow appearance.
He said the show appeals to and is appropriate for all ages.
Elementary school students will get a chance to preview Drumshow at a students-only performance Friday afternoon. Public performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee Saturday.
The matinee will be preceded from 12:30 to 2 p.m. by an instrument petting zoo, where visitors can experiment with wind chimes, water gongs, cymbals, vibraphones and other percussion instruments.
23rd annual Drumshow
<b>Where:</b> Naperville Central High School auditorium, 440 Aurora Ave., Naperville
<b>When:</b> 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5 and 6
<b>Tickets:</b> $8 for students, $10 for adults, available at the door and online
<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.nchsdrumshow.com">nchsdrumshow.com</a>