The Rix Stix drumline at BYU-Idaho is joining the other percussion ensemble students on Thursday for a rhythmic night.
"We're actually going to be playing with some kid toys, probably some broken car parts and stuff like that. So that'll be pretty fun," said Kevin Meyer, who oversees the percussion students in BYU-Idaho’s Department of Music.
He says the audience can expect some surprising moments and instruments. The drum brake from a car is one of the many interesting instruments in the percussion arsenal.
“They're just broken car parts, no engines on this one,” Meyer said.
Other interesting instruments that will make appearances at the Rix Stix concert are pitched wood planks, whirly tubes, crystal glasses and a toy piano.
The drumlines at BYU-Idaho have over 50 students in them, and there are another 19 students in the percussion ensemble. Meyer made sure to clarify that not all 69 students will play at the same time.
"It's okay to put your fingers in your ears. It's going to be really loud and awesome," Meyer said.
The drumlines meet three days a week for rehearsal near the BYU-Idaho stadium in the early evenings.
Meyer says his favorite part of the show is not a moment, but rather the feeling he gets.
"It's kind of the whole experience because in percussion concerts, there's such a variety of music," Meyer said.
Music at the show will include "Thunder Snow" and "Bulldog," and a song called "Amber," originally written for piano, but adapted for mallets by Pulse Percussion Trio. The drumlines are also playing something called WGI, which will include an electronic element.
The Rix Stix concert is Thursday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. in BYU-Idaho's Barrus Concert Hall.
Tickets are available online on the BYU-Idaho website, or you can watch the livestream of the show online.