Percussionist strikes the right chord

By Kelly Findley

Sounds can come from many different places including nature. The wind, rain, storms and even the quiet when everything stands still creates a sound like music.

Nathan Wehmeyer, senior percussionist, both powerful and beautiful at his senior recital Feb. 8. The sound was both intriguing and unique and attracted many students and staff to the event.

Wehmeyer has been a percussionist since he was in sixth grade band and nothing has changed. Wehmeyer has been involved in the marching band, concert band, jazz band and of course all the required classes since being here at Missouri Western.

Wehmeyer has always wanted to be a percussionist and he is finishing what he can here at Missouri Western. When he does finish he will have a Bachelor of Science in music, with an emphasis in percussion performance. Wehmeyer plans to go to graduate school but does not have one picked just yet.

Wehmeyer enjoyed playing for those who went to his recital. He was well prepared and thought it was good. Wehmeyer said that no musician ever thinks that they have performed a perfect show, but thought that what he had done on Sunday was a good show and was satisfied with the results that he got from it.

“It seemed like I was only playing for two seconds and it was over,” Wehmeyer said.

There were eight pieces played, “Hombre D’Aout” by Eric Sammut, “American Suite” by Guy Gutehreaux II, “Two Impressions” by Tracy Thomas, “Douze Etudes;” “No. 3” by Jacques Deleclus, “Suomineito” by Nebojsa Jouan Zivkovic, “Ouadrafunk” by Dennis Rogers, “Prelude 13,” “Loss” by Chopin and arranged by Errol Rackipov and Scirocco by Michael Burritt.

One of the pieces was a duet with the help of Dustin Mott. With many students attending, everyone seemed very pleased and the snow was not very long.

Freshman Dan DeClue attended the recital and enjoyed the unique sound.

“The first snare piece was very unique with the many different techniques that Nate had used,” DeClue said.

Sophomore Paula Elsner had been to several recitals, but not one quite like Wehmeyer’s.

“[This was] one of the best recitals I have been to since being here at Missouri Western,” Elsner said.

Missouri Western music seniors must perform in a recital before they graduate and with the days counting down, more and more students are getting ready. Wehmeyer is relieved and ready to begin his career.