Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 4, 2000 Japanese ensemble will bring percussion to PurdueWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Kodo Drummers of Japan will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in Elliott Hall of Music on the Purdue University campus as part of the Purdue Convocations Patron's Choice Series. This Japanese percussion ensemble has performed for sold-out audiences on five continents and is returning to Purdue after a 10-year hiatus. The performance is sponsored in part by Subaru-Isuzu Automotive and is part of the Kodo Drummers' One Earth Tour, an annual four months of performances outside Japan. The idea behind this tour is that drumming is a primal human activity and people everywhere respond to it. The Japanese ensemble will also perform in Bloomington and Indianapolis as part of this year's tour. Founded in 1971, Kodo specializes in a style of drumming called "taiko," a traditional form of communication in Japan, originally used for summoning gods and announcing emergencies. But Kodo doesn't re-enact ancient rituals in performance, rather it entertains with displays of athletic grace and strength, entertaining choreography, rhythmic drumming and eye-catching costumes. The art form has been adapted to appeal to a variety of cultures and styles in keeping with the group's international touring commitments. Percussion enthusiasts, world-culture fans and arts patrons alike are drawn to this large-scale production. Kodo members live communally with staff and crew on Sado, an island in the Sea of Japan. They wake at dawn to train, building muscle power and endurance to beat the numerous drums ranging from snare-size to 900 pounds. The biggest drum, carved from a single tree trunk and called "o-daiko," is Kodo's signature instrument. An "informance" to shed some light on this unusual art form will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 (the Saturday before the Friday night performance) at Barnes & Noble Booksellers near the Tippecanoe Mall. Purdue Bands assistant director and percussion instructor Pamela Nave will talk about Kodo and "taiko" drumming. The informance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Tickets to the Friday, Feb. 25, performance are $25, $18 and $14 for the public; $16 and $12 for Purdue students. Charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW or stop by campus box offices. Groups of high school students can attend at a discounted price of $10 per student with one free chaperone ticket per 15 student tickets purchased. For more information on group sales, contact Convocations at (765) 494-9712. CONTACT: Sue Stevens, Convocations publicist, (765) 494-5045, snsteven@purdue.edu
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