Timpani enhances band sounds

Sophomore Willow Hutton rehearses on the recently-donated timpani of the California High School band.
Sophomore Willow Hutton rehearses on the recently-donated timpani of the California High School band.

The exciting sounds of the war march in the "Lord of the Rings" tune by the California High School band were enhanced by new timpani in the percussion section.

Sophomore Willow Hutton enthusiastically beat the shiny, smooth topped instrument Sunday.

"I'm eternally grateful to the woman who donated; these are amazing," she said.

The music department's latest donation for the $8,600 cost came from Beverly Meyer, who also donated a baby grand piano several years ago, Superintendent Dwight Sanders said.

"The purchase was pushed forward based on the fact that California will be hosting the Tri-County Conference Pre-Contest Festival next March," Band Director Shawn Smith said. "Having the new timpani allows all of the schools to have a highly-functioning set of percussion to help prepare themselves for the district and state festivals that come up the weeks after."

The school's old timpani are now in the middle school band room.

"The old timpani had run their course through at least all the 1990s and up to this year," Smith said.

Hutton agreed, "the other timpani had dents and dips in the heads."

The tuning pedals no longer functioned correctly, as well.

The new timpani include a top-view dial to show the percussionist what key the drum is in as they tune it with the pedal.

"It's a very profound difference," Hutton said. "It will make the sound more effective and give it more punch."

The timpani's role in orchestration varies from enhancing the bass to following the melody, she said.

"Many pieces are built heavily on the rich timbre and bass tones of the timpani," Smith said. "If you have a song with a hard hitting, loud release that brings tears to your eyes, a timpani was to thank for that."

Spring band concert

The California High School Spring Band Concert, under the direction of band director Shawn Smith, was held Sunday.

The jazz band performed "Chase the Clouds Away" by Mike Lewis, "On Broadway" by Michael Sweeney, "American Patrol" by Mike Lewis, and "25 or 6 to 4" by Mike Story.

Stacy Friedrich accompanied tenor saxophone soloists Trevor Gerling and Emily Gray. And the saxophone quartet of Taylor Jones, Dalton Arnold, Gerling, and Matthew Hurt also performed.

The Pinto Pride Symphonic Band presented "A Night at the Movies," including some video accompaniment.

Selections included "Accidentally in Love" by Michael Sweeney, "Transformers" by Michael Brown, "Selections from Tarzan" by Michael Sweeney and "Lord of the Rings" by Ralph Ford.

The senior song was "Game of Thrones" by Michael Brown.