‘Rocks’ deliver in act that lived up to name for Rock-tober Fest

The Sam Houston State University Percussion Group put the rock in rock-tober Wednesday night as they performed all things rock in the School of Music’s Rock-tober Fest.

Each selection was chosen by Percussion Director John Lane, Ph.D. and according to the events program, the music represent all things rock, including music for rocks and stones, rock n’ roll arrangements and rock-inspired music and even a work that simply has “rock” in the title.

One of the most unique selections of the night was the second performance entitled Ambient Densities, in which the lights were completely shut off leaving the audience in the dark. The only sound present throughout the concert hall was the echo of the tuning fork and clinking of rocks. This particular piece came from an innovative collection of works composed for the use of rocks and stones.

The percussion group is made up of nine undergraduate students and one graduate student, Lisa Salinas the only female member of the percussion group, joined this semester after making it through the final auditions. According to Salinas the group has been practicing for Rock-tober fest since the beginning of the fall semester.

Lane participated in two of the performances, Demolition Man and Once in a Lifetime, demolishing rocks while singing lead vocals.

“This is the first time for this program and when arranging it I wanted the pieces to go along with the central theme of rocks, not just rock music but anything to do with rocks.”, Lane said.

Bonham, the last work performed featured drum soloist Nick Huneycutt, as he played an ode to rock drummers, paying particular attention to legendary drummer John Bonham from Led Zepplin.

We give this performance three out of five paws.