The fifth North Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble (NLYPE) Festival will return to Louisiana Tech University’s Howard Auditorium March 24-25. The event was created in part to provide a performance platform for high school percussionists. “Much like school bands and orchestras attend festivals to gain exposure to classic works in the repertoire, this event was designed to similarly encourage an appreciation for the percussion ensemble genre,” said Gregory Lyons, host and an associate professor of music at Tech. Another benefit comes in allowing students to engage with and learn from their peers in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Each previous NLYPE Festival has featured a world-class guest artist, and this year is no exception. Appearing for the first time at Louisiana Tech will be marimba composer and performer, Kevin Bobo. Bobo is professor of percussion at Indiana University. He has performed on five continents and nearly 40 states in the U.S. He has also authored two method books and composed numerous pieces for a variety of instruments and ensembles. The festival begins with an open rehearsal coached by Professor Bobo from 3-5 p.m. Friday from in Howard Auditorium. Then at 7:30 p.m., Bobo will take the stage for the opening festival concert. On Saturday starting at 8 a.m., spectators will be treated to performances by Ruston High School Intermediate and Advanced Percussion Ensembles, followed by the Neville High School Percussion Ensemble and concluding with the Jena High School Percussion Ensemble. Next on the schedule is a marimba clinic with Professor Bobo at 10 a.m., followed by percussion related door prizes. Capping off the weekend is the closing festival concert Saturday at noon featuring the Louisiana Tech University Percussion Ensemble and the Honors Youth Percussion Ensemble, a select group comprised of students from each participating high school for this occasion only. Admission to the Friday rehearsal and the Saturday morning high school performances is free. Admission to the opening and closing festival concerts as well as the marimba clinic is $5 adults/$3 students. All events are free for Tech faculty, staff and students with valid ID. For more information, contact Dr. Lyons at glyons@latech.edu or (318) 257-5470. Written by Judith Roberts – jroberts@latech.edu