By Tena Cook
Three Chadron State College student percussionists, Josh Fernau of Chadron, and Cayden Carrasco and Lucas Booe of Sidney, Nebraska, plan to attend the Percussive Arts Society International Conference (PASIC) in Indianapolis in November. Nearly 6,000 students and professionals attended PASIC last year.
“It is a huge deal for percussionists. It is the biggest conference in the world. I went two years ago and it was an amazing experience,” Fernau said.
A crowdfunding page to support the students’ trip is set up at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/CSCDrum. Those interested in donating may also text CSCDrum to 71777.
The three CSC student percussionists plan to play a piece called Triskaidekaphobia at the conference during a competition.
“[Triskaidekaphobia] is the fear of the number 13. The whole piece plays on the number 13,” Fernau said. “It’s in 13 bar phrases, there are 13 instruments in it. It was written by Josh Gottry and Dr. [Rick] Puzzo invited Josh to see our performance. We might actually get to meet the composer of the piece that we’ve worked on. How cool is that?”
Associate Professor of Music Dr. Rick Puzzo, who will accompany the students, said this is the first year of the PASIC Chamber/Concert Percussion Ensemble Competition.
“It is a great opportunity that was created so that more students could actually perform at PASIC. The CSC Percussion Trio has been rehearsing since the start of school. They are working hard and are making excellent progress. Our students will be judged by some of the best percussionists and percussion professors from around the country, and they will be able to receive personal feedback from them,” Puzzo said.