African Percussionist Mark Stone Performs with Percussion Ensemble at Hillsdale College
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Expert in African percussion Mark Stone performed with Artist Teacher of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles Chris McCourry, Artist Teacher of Music Stacey Jones, and the Hillsdale Percussion Ensemble at Hillsdale College on October 13. The performance was held in Plaster Auditorium and was attended by Hillsdale College students, faculty, and staff members, along with members of the local community.
“It was a joy to have Mark Stone perform on campus. His area of study and performance provided a unique opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to play along with and enjoy music they might not have encountered before,” said McCourry.
The performance included songs such as: “Atenga Omwana,” “Time to Fly,” and “Pretty Lake.” Songs by various composers were performed, including some traditional Dagbamba and traditional Dagara. Stone himself composed some of the work, as did McCourry.
Stone is an improviser-composer and performer scholar. He currently works as a professor of music at Oakland University while earning his Ph.D. at the University of South Africa. Stone has performed with notable musicians in Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, India, Trinidad, Ecuador, and the United States, receiving the “Gyil Guba” title from the Gyil Guba elders of Hiineteng, Ghana. As a composer, he seeks to cross cultural boundaries to bring unique sounds and people together.
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