The annual Percussion Picnic, held on April 19 from 3 to 4 p.m., featured a performance by the university’s percussion ensemble and welcomed community members to enjoy a free outdoor concert. The event took place on the Memorial Union lawn and included a variety of percussion works.

Families, students, and local residents brought lawn chairs to take in the lively concert. The casual, open-air setting created an inviting atmosphere where more than 30 members could unwind while experiencing a range of percussion pieces, from upbeat selections to intricate layered compositions. 

One performance featured a pop music duo piece performed by Frankie Anguiano, a freshman music education major, and Simon Walrod, a senior music education major. Their performance showcased coordination and musical cohesion on xylophones, delivering an engaging interpretation that resonated with the audience. 

Walrod, who is preparing to graduate, also performed a solo piece on the snare drum, demonstrating advanced technical skill and determination

throughout his time as a percussionist at Washburn University. 

Another piece, “Sleepless,” was presented during the event and was inspired by a past collaboration in China. The composition, developed in a short timeframe, incorporated traditional Chinese instruments such as drums and gongs alongside Western musical elements. This fusion created a representation of cultural exchange. The piece also featured nine distinct notes woven throughout the performance, symbolizing the overnight hours spent developing the work before it was presented to a Chinese music director as part of an international collaboration. 

The variety of styles and instruments reflected individual student development, which was evident in another performance by Daniel Albertson, a Washburn University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music education and a Sunflower Music Festival Coordinator. 

Albertson performed “Berserker” by Caleb Pickering, a demanding percussion piece he had long admired and once considered beyond his reach. He explained that there wasn’t a specific external inspiration behind the piece initially, but rather it was a work that stood out to him early in his career as something extremely challenging. 

As his musical career progressed, including his work as an assistant professor of music at Kansas Wesleyan University and his leadership roles in percussion organizations, Albertson gained more opportunities to perform with ensembles. After some time, he revisited the piece out of personal desire to overcome its challenges and eventually decided to take it on. 

“I had an opportunity to put it together. I asked a couple of groups of people to play it, and they agreed. That’s how it led to what it is today,” Albertson said. 

Von Hansen, assistant professor of applied percussion, is a composer and performer whose work blends hip-hop, jazz, rock, and electronic music, often incorporating percussion, found objects, and electronic processing. He serves as president of the Kansas Percussion Arts Society and performs internationally at major music conferences with ensembles such as the Great Plains Percussion Group and MapMusik. 

Hansen said he enjoyed conducting his team at the event, describing the group as hardworking students who also know how to have fun. F

rom his times with them, he emphasized how well the students get along and the positive memories they create together. He noted that, despite the intensity of their rehearsals, the team maintains a healthy balance that allows them to enjoy the process as well. 

“They’re just a fun group to be around,” Hansen said.  

Having played music for more than 30 years, Hansen emphasized the importance of connecting with the audiences during concerts. He said he does not perform solely for himself but to bring smiles to people’s faces and help brighten their mood through music. Von is also committed to increasing educational opportunities for percussionists by providing masterclasses at various universities. “The best thing about music is sharing the performance with an audience and having them react to it, giving them something to enjoy,” Hansen said.

After the recital, an audience member shared their thoughts on the event. John Anguiano, a police detective at the Washburn University Police Department, attended the Percussion Picnic to support his son, Frankie Anguiano, and to enjoy the concert. 

John Anguiano said he enjoyed how the presentation brought students from different instruments together, as well as the variety of the music selection. His favorite part was the piece made for the composer in China, noting the cultural influence represented in the performance. 

“They [referring to those who were unable to attend] missed a good opportunity to see and hear the diverse range of music. It wasn’t just a drum kit; it was a lot of different things,” John Anguiano said.

As the concert concluded, the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, reflecting the success of the event, bringing together music and community. The Percussion Picnic continues to be a campus tradition, offering an afternoon of relaxation and rhythm. Organizers hope to build on the event in future years with even more engaging outdoor performances.

Edited by Stuti Khadka