A program that promotes keyboard percussion among children aged between 8 and 14 years of age. The album is a gorgeous and delightful potpourri of classical, blues, pop, boogie, folk, renaissance, baroque, African and more.

28 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Percussion Ensemble, FOLK: Celtic Folk



Details:
âthe marimba bellesâ is a dynamic ensemble of middle-school age (10 â 13yo) percussionists who play concert xylophones, marimbas, vibraphones and glockenspiels. The group performs complex three, four and five part tunes such as The Lord of the Dance, Rondo alla Turca, The Entertainer, Mamma Mia, Axel F, Hungarian Dance no.5, celtic jigs and reels and the BEST version of "Greensleeves" you will ever hear, complete with renaissance variations by Francis Cutting, circa 1690,and of course, The Teddy Bears Picnic arranged for six instruments.

âthe marimba bellesâ come from an extension program at Boronia Heights Primary School in Melbourne. Students enter the program by way of audition and commit to frequent rehearsals throughout the school week. They also borrow instruments on weekends and school holidays for extra practice.

Over the past two decades âthe marimba bellesâ have performed with great success and acclaim at eisteddfods, on radio and TV, at music festivals,including the Port Fairy Folk Festival in 1996; fundraising concerts and at other schools. In 2006 the group undertook a week-long tour of schools in the Warrnambool district, performing seven concerts in three days.

The group plays with incredible energy, enthusiasm and accuracy. There is great synergy, unusual amongst students of this age. The sound of the CD is refreshing and delightful. Please listen to 'the marimba belles' and enjoy. We believe that this ensemble's interpretations are unique, as searches on the net fail to find other ensembles with "the belles" style.

Recording Values. The album has been recorded with much loving care. Balance of instrument volume levels has been of paramount importance to Graham[ one of the teachers] who has been invoved in recording since 1959.. when "stereo" first appeared. Much attention has been given to detail: clarity; realism; sonic truth; and creating an ambience second to none. The REAL CD, the one you can put in a cabinet,is just stunning.

For inquiries contact Adrian Batt on Australia [international(03) 9729 2614 (BH) or at batt.cave@optusnet.com.au or Graham Answerth on (03) 59 62 4682 or ganswerth@megalink.com.au