Percussion Ensembles
Explore the ensembles we offer below!
Percussion Ensembles
Kaji-Daiko
The UNI Taiko Ensemble - "Kaji-Daiko" - made its debut on September 26, 2008, at the School of Music Russell re-dedication and the Scholarship Benefit Concert in the newly renovated Bengtson Auditorium.
The ensemble plays on 13 handmade drums from www.taikos.com - shime-daikos, okedo-daikos, katsugi-daikos and a five-foot hira-daiko. Each year the ensemble presents three concerts in Davis Hall, and has performed for WCFSO Lollipop Concerts, Iowa Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion, the President’s Club and the UNI Foundation’s “Imagine the Impact” campaign kickoff.
Percussion Ensembles
The percussion ensembles offer percussionists the opportunity to explore percussion instruments and their techniques as well as a variety of literature from modern and historic eras. Recent performances have included tours in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota as well as performances at the IBA and IMEA conventions and the Iowa Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion.
West African Drum Ensemble
The UNI West African Drum Ensemble (UNI-WADE) was formed in the fall of 1997. It is now a continuing course offered through the School of Music that may be taken for credit. The curriculum includes drumming, dancing and singing from Ghana and Guinea, West Africa. UNI-WADE is comprised of UNI students who are interested in learning and performing the music of other cultures.
The current repertoire is based on the music of the Malinke people from Guinea using djembes, dununs, bells and rattles as well as the Ewe people from Kopeyia, Ghana. The Ewe ensemble consists of drums made in Ghana - sogo, kidi, kaganu, klobotodzi, totodzi, donno, gankogui, axatse and frikyiwa - as well as the master drums - gboba and atsimevu.