Mueller Concert Report
Wichita native Dr. Brain Mueller returned to a Wichita stage for a marimba solo. Mueller, a Wichita State University graduate, joined the WSU Impulse Percussion Group for their Marimba Spiritual concert. The concert was held at Miller Concert hall Monday evening. Directed by Gerald Scholl, the IPG played a diverse set of seven songs. The first song, titled “Fractalia” was a beautiful piece. It was slow, but powerful and sounded as if the audience was transported to the rainforest.
The next song was more fast-paced and had greater instrument variation. The use of the color lights during the performances was remarkable. The performances all generated great imagery. Mueller than had a marimba solo, where he performed three pieces
that were again slow and sweet. The feelings of passion and love could be felt from these pieces. After a short intermission, the concert continued with the three final pieces. Another solo from Mueller and two more by the group. The final piece “Past Midnight” was a perfect conclusion to the concert. The piece started gentle and then gained momentum and became loud and authoritative. This theme carried throughout the song. The ability of these musicians to play so many instruments at once is astonishing. 21-year-old, Josh Yates was at the concert supporting his friend who was one of the performers.
“I’m not sure that it’s the type of music I would listen to all the time, but the number of instruments they are able to play is pretty cool,” said Yates. “Seeing my friend play all of them was impressive.”
The concert hall was about half-full with audience members. Many demographically different people were in attendance. The performances were met with a good amount of applause and most of the audience seemed to enjoy the pieces.
“I was a bit worried after hearing the second song – I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into,” said Virginia Horn. “But the next few pieces were beautiful.”
Horn added that she likes to come to WSU concerts every-so-often because she lives close and enjoys music. She had never been to a concert performed by the WSU Impulse Percussion Group before and was overall impressed with the concert.
The next song was more fast-paced and had greater instrument variation. The use of the color lights during the performances was remarkable. The performances all generated great imagery. Mueller than had a marimba solo, where he performed three pieces
that were again slow and sweet. The feelings of passion and love could be felt from these pieces. After a short intermission, the concert continued with the three final pieces. Another solo from Mueller and two more by the group. The final piece “Past Midnight” was a perfect conclusion to the concert. The piece started gentle and then gained momentum and became loud and authoritative. This theme carried throughout the song. The ability of these musicians to play so many instruments at once is astonishing. 21-year-old, Josh Yates was at the concert supporting his friend who was one of the performers.
“I’m not sure that it’s the type of music I would listen to all the time, but the number of instruments they are able to play is pretty cool,” said Yates. “Seeing my friend play all of them was impressive.”
The concert hall was about half-full with audience members. Many demographically different people were in attendance. The performances were met with a good amount of applause and most of the audience seemed to enjoy the pieces.
“I was a bit worried after hearing the second song – I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into,” said Virginia Horn. “But the next few pieces were beautiful.”
Horn added that she likes to come to WSU concerts every-so-often because she lives close and enjoys music. She had never been to a concert performed by the WSU Impulse Percussion Group before and was overall impressed with the concert.