Concert takes place in tribute to director's mentor
- Ty Davidson
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Students perform at percussion concert.
An ensemble cannot function without a director, and a director cannot function without a mentor. Troy University's percussion ensemble dedicated its most recent show to the man who taught Director Dr. Timothy Blackstock.
"The concert was a dedication to the memory of one of my former teachers, Joseph Rasmussen, who passed away 20 years ago,” Blackstock said. “Mr. Rasmussen is someone whom I think of every day.
“His teachings and mentorship were invaluable to me, and it is my privilege to pass on his teachings to my own students.”
For Jacob Ammons, a senior music major from Niceville, Florida, it was more than just a tribute to Rasmussen, it was an attempt for him to honor Blackstock as his director, as well.
"It's really cool, especially being his student, it's just like the lineage going down,” said Ammons. “Seeing that tribute to him [Rasmussen] and then me kind of tributing to Dr. Blackstock, being able to play with him in the ensemble and everything is super cool to me.”
One piece in particular was extra special for Ammons, as it was a duet played by both him and Blackstock, together.
"I really, really liked playing that one with Dr. B because that gave me more of a sense of having the mentor play with the student just as he played with his, and I think it was just really special being able to play with him," Ammons said.
The duet was meant to be Blackstock’s only performance of the night, but upon receiving news of an injured student and another that was ill the morning of the concert, he felt as though he had to step in.
“Normally, I do not perform with my students,” Blackstock said. “I believe that their performances should be centered around them and their finished product; however, unforeseen things do happen.”
However, the duet was not the only special piece of the night. The ensemble also performed a 20 minute long, four-movement song that Ammons said was an incredible experience.
"It's immersive," Ammons said. “You've got to get locked in, but it's super fun being able to stay in that place, especially, because you know, music moves on the scale of time: you can't get the whole thing in one moment, so being able to stay there for 20 minutes is awesome."
Students perform at percussion concert.
Commenti