Evan McCreary - Senior Recital
This recital is in partial fulfillment of a BM in Music Performance
Mvt. I
John Beck is most known as being Professor of Percussion at the Eastman School of Music between 1959 and 2008. This three movement composition for solo timpani was dedicated to a student that Professor Beck had at the time, whose name was Steve Gadd. In an era that didn’t have many options for percussion solo literature, this piece has become one of the most commonly performed pieces in the repertoire, with its new and unique techniques that are used throughout the composition.
Mvt. I. Cretan Dance
Mvt. II. Fox Trot
Mvt. III. Fandango
Warren Benson founded the first touring collegiate percussion ensemble in the United States at Ithaca College. He also taught composition at the Eastman School of Music from 1967 to 1993, and he was a founding member of the Percussive Arts Society. This piece features three unique dances that come from three different places throughout the world. The Cretan Dance is a circle dance that is traditionally performed at weddings in Greece, the Fox Trot is an American jazz dance with continuous flowing phrases, and the Fandango is a lively couples dance from Spain.
Mitch Markovich is the only person in the history of the National Snare Drum Competition to become a three-time undefeated champion. Tornado is one of the most well-known pieces written by Markovich, and it is known for its difficulty.
Allemande
Courante
Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most celebrated classical composers of all time. He wrote pieces for a wide variety of instruments, including: solo violin, four part chorales, and solo cello. The Fifth Suite is in the key of C-minor, and it really captures the darker side of Bach with its minor tonality. Leigh Howard Stevens arranged a version of the Suites for solo marimba in 2012.
Max Roach was one of the most notable bebop drummers of the 1950’s and 60’s. He’s worked with many jazz legends, including: Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and Miles Davis. This drum solo was included on Max Roachs 1966 album titled, “Drums Unlimited.”
Chick Corea is one of the most influential jazz pianists and composers of the 20th Century. Among his impressively large discography is the 1978 album titled, “Friends.” This album features Steve Gadd playing drums on this 24 bar shuffle.
American Stevie Wonder continues to be the child star that never burnt out. He was born six weeks premature, which ultimately caused him to be blind for life. Despite this handicap, Wonder defied the odds and continues to have a successful music career 56 years after he was first discovered at age 12. “Bird of Beauty” is off of his 1974 album, Fulfillingness’ First Finale, which went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Steely Dan is an experimental rock band that continues to have a cult following well into the 21st Century. This track comes off of the bands 1977 platinum album titled, Aja. World famous funk drummer Bernard Purdie plays on this track.
Combo Personnel: Antwan Howard-tenor sax, Zach Jordan-trumpet, Andrew Karkosiak- guitar, Sean Williams-bass
Evan McCreary is a senior music performance major at Youngstown State University. He is a 2015 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, where he participated in the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Jazz Ensemble.
At Youngstown State University, Evan has studied under Dr. Glenn Schaft and Ed Davis. He has served as principal player and section leader of the Wind Ensemble, Dana Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Band. Evan has also performed with Jazz Ensemble 2, Jazz Combo, The Marching Pride, Basketball Pep Band and the Percussion Ensemble. He has also served as the Vice President of the Youngstown Percussion Collective for two years and is currently the President of the organization. Evan is also a member of the Percussive Arts Society, and he is the Student Drumline Assistant for the YSU Drumline.
While studying at Dana, Evan has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Ohio Music Education Association Conference, The International Horn Symposium, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Outside of school, Evan is the Drumline Instructor at Crestview High School, he teaches private lessons at Spider Web Music in Howland, The Youngstown Jewish Community Center, and he has worked as a drum circle facilitator with the Southside Fine Arts Academy.
Evan would like to extend a sincere thank you to his family, colleagues, teachers, and friends.