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Tamana Girls High School in Japan said farewell to their new friends from Graham-Kapowsin High School, located about 13 miles southeast of Pacific Lutheran University.Miho Takekawa, percussion instructor at PLU, said that despite language and cultural barriers, the students all formed deep bonds during a weeklong musical exchange program earlier this month. She said it was clear that they understand unconditional love without language. “It’s always hard to say goodbye,” said Takekawa, who has been

lot next to the Mary Baker Russell Music Center. Dr. Miho Takekawa conducts a socially distant Percussion Ensemble class in a large rehearsal space in the music building. A student wearing a mask participates in the Percussion Studio rehearsal. Dr. Miho Takekawa conducts a socially distant Percussion Ensemble class, rehearsing Dr. Greg Youtz’s composition entitled “Calypso Variations” in a large rehearsal space in the music building. Students rehearse on brass instruments outdoors in a tent set up

plans to observe nurses and doctors to understand current hygiene standards before working with staff to create a collaborative infection control course to implement new standards. But her time in Namibia won’t just be spent conducting research. She will also teach marimba to fourth- and fifth-grade girls at a local private school. More than an aspiring doctor, Larios is also an accomplished musician and has been playing multiple percussion instruments since high school. She was a member of PLU’s

multiple percussion instruments since high school. She was a member of PLU’s Percussion Ensemble and plays the marimba, steel pan, and drum set. “It’s been an amazing hobby to help relieve the pre-med stress,” she says. She sought out opportunities to play music while on her first trip to Namibia in 2020, which was cut short after only three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “(That first trip) was not only a chance to study abroad, but it was this super-impactful moment for me because during my

percussion instruments since high school. She was a member of PLU’s Percussion Ensemble and plays the marimba, steel pan, and drum set. “It’s been an amazing hobby to help relieve the pre-med stress,” she says. She sought out opportunities to play music while on her first trip to Namibia in 2020, which was cut short after only three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “(That first trip) was not only a chance to study abroad, but it was this super-impactful moment for me because during my first two years

heard over and over ‘What an amazing performance,’ ‘Your students play with so much heart,’ and ‘The artistry of your ensemble blew me away.’” Powell remarked. “Naturally I was flattered and proud of our students.” As part of the festivities a collegiate honor band featured four PLU students, who auditioned and were selected: Ingrid Smith, first chair principal clarinet; Lyndi Knox, third chair clarinet; Claire Rehmke, second chair trumpet; and Shayla Chaykin, first chair percussion. Each placed

educator. Mr. Howes will share improvisation methods with our students in a live, play along session and also discuss entrepreneurship. Another special session for Orchestra students will be with Drs. Kimcherie Lloyd and Marguerite Richardson, who will discuss musical career paths in academia. PLU Percussion students will have three classes this semester to work on their playing. Damien Petitjean will share what it’s like to play percussion in Paris. Micah Lewis is a percussionist in the US Navy’s

-Kapowsin High School Wind Ensemble and Tamana Girls High School Band from Japan. PLU Percussion Professor Miho Takekawa founded the sister-band affiliation with the vice president of the Kansai Band Association, Tomio Yamamoto, in 2009. Since then Graham-Kapowsin Wind Ensemble has traveled to Tamana every three years while Tamana Girls’ High School Band has visited Washington every two years. The Tamana Girls’ High School Band has won three gold metals and one special performance award at the All Japan

student flutist in her senior year of high school when she found out she had cancer and was hospitalized at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Kintner, who was released from the hospital and went on to play in the flute ensemble and orchestra during her time at PLU, is now pursuing a degree in law. She told Rhyne music provided her with comfort while she was sick. During the concert, some student flutists will trade their flutes in for colored pitched percussion instruments, while others will use bottles or

. In my piece, you will immediately hear two contrasting and opposing themes (the first in the woodwinds and percussion, the second in the brass). The themes are metrically polarized and in harmonically incompatible modes. Whereas a more conventional composition might develop the music by combining the themes, these two are like oil and water, and despite a third, more lyrical theme trying to mediate them, they persist in separate spheres until they are pushed together and thrown into conflict