VSU Music Hosts Trombone, Percussion Ensembles Performance March 10

A sophomore music education major and trombone player, Ranon Herman composed an original piece of music for the March 10 Trombone and Percussion Ensembles performance at Valdosta State University.

VALDOSTA — A sophomore music education major, Ranon Herman is no stranger to composing original music. The trombone player wrote a piece for a brass quartet as a student at Johns Creek High School in North Georgia; it was first performed at the annual Fulton County Solo and Ensemble Competition.

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, during the Valdosta State University Trombone and Percussion Ensembles performance, Herman will premiere another original piece of music, “Heart of Gold.” The event is open to the public and is free of charge.

“I was not inspired by anything in particular when writing this piece,” he said. “It was more of an a-ha moment when sitting at the piano, and I decided to put the melody in my head to the keys and then to paper, much like [Wolfgang Amadeus] Mozart in the movie ‘Amadeus.’ I am looking forward to performing my piece in the upcoming concert and getting feedback from people other than my dad, who studied music at [the] Eastman [School of Music], and my trombone professor, Dr. [Doug] Farwell.”

Sunday afternoon’s concert features a variety of works, from classical to popular music arranged for trombone and percussion ensembles to Herman’s brand new composition, noted Farwell, interim Department of Music head and professor of trombone. It will be held in Whitehead Auditorium, located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street. 

“Our percussion portion of the concert will present music with a mix of sounds early 20^th century American, sounds contemporary, and sounds humorous,” shared Paul Campiglia, percussion area chairman in the Department of Music and director.

Trombone Ensemble members are Ranon Herman, Chandler Hill, Justin Long, Joshua Watford, Devin Driskell, Zachery Jones, and Anthony Troupe.

Percussion Ensemble members are Nancy Davis, Tyrone Tarplin, Dylan Sloan, Johnathan Thomas, Travis King, Kristen Hall, Kaitlyn Jones, Ryan Ryke, Leslie Smith, Chad Capers, and Matthew Lieberman.

Contact Dr. Doug Farwell at (229) 333-5804 or dfarwell@valdosta.edu or Paul Campiglia at pcampigl@valdosta.edu for more information.

On the Web:

www.valdosta.edu/music