Joanna Dabrowska
Music Director
Mercury Rising Percussion Ensemble

The Mercury Rising Percussion Ensemble is a student group designed to enhance performers' skills in musicianship, listening, and professionalism. Members of the group have been selected for this program from my studio, and currently range in age from 12 to 17. Students rehearse for approximately two months, once a week, and are expected to practice their parts on their own to prepare for rehearsals. This format challenges students and enables them to learn about ensemble playing in ways they may not experince playing in a large ensemble or from lessons.

The 2010 program will feature music from around the world. In 2010 we will also add a second group, the Rising Artists division. This group will meet in a workshop format for two weeks, and perform a joint concert with the Senior division of the MRPE.

The Rising Artists division will be open to all students who have been playing for at least one year or are currently taking private lessons. The Senior division will be open to students by invitation or by audition if they study with another teacher, and must demostrate proficiency in their performance skills, as well as a willingness to practice and prepare their music outside of rehearsal time.