News

March 22, 2013: Aaron Neville and Ellis Marsalis to Perform on Campus

February 21, 2013: Percussion Professor Varner Speaks About the Talking Drums of Nigeria

July 31, 2012: Wind Symphony Releases New Album

March 22, 2013
Aaron Neville and Ellis Marsalis to Perform on Campus

Grammy Award-winning musician Aaron Neville brings his inimitable voice and timeless lyrics to College Park Center for an added installment of UT Arlington’s 2012-2013 Maverick Speakers Series.

Neville will be joined by Ellis Marsalis for “A Night with New Orleans Music Legends,” starting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at College Park Center, 601 Spaniolo Drive.
 
General admission tickets are free but required. A premium-seating package is available for $25 and includes reserved seating, parking and more. Tickets are available starting at www.utatickets.com.
 
Click here for more information.



February 21, 2013
Percussion Professor Varner Speaks About the Talking Drums of Nigeria

The Nigerian Talking Drum has long fascinated musicians from around the world. Little accurate information about this unique member of the percussion family has been known outside of Nigeria. Recently I traveled to Nigeria to learn more about the tradition of “DunDun” and found a fascinating history as well as a vibrant current use of this instrument. This article[presentation] introduces information on the drum, the traditional performers, and how they can literally “speak” mimicking/producing the pitches and rhythms of the Yoruba language. A Yoruba proverb states “drumming makes the people happy.” The Yoruba believe that you cannot talk fully about their culture and tradition without speaking about the talking drum because it is a source of history, poetry, proverbs, and daily life. Learning and playing the drum helps us understand a little bit more of the diversity and opportunities in the world of Music.

March 22 - 12pm-2pm
Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center
 
Free and open to the public
For more information contact MVarner@uta.edu



July 31, 2012
Wind Symphony Releases New Album

The UTA Wind Symphony’s new album, Ceremonial, is now available for purchase from the UTA Bands. Remastered and produced by Mark Records (New York) from the ensemble’s performance at the 2012 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention, the disc includes Ceremonial by Bernard Rands, Avelynn’s Lullaby by Joel Puckett, First Suite in E-flat by Gustav Holst, and Lost Vegas by Michael Daugherty. Click here for more information.