Overman

Michael Overman

Adjunct professor of percussion, James Madison University

Michael holds a Doctor of Music degree in Percussion from Northwestern University, a Master of Music from Ithaca College, and a Bachelor of Music from West Virginia University. Michael has also studied at the Hochschule für Musik, Würzburg, as recipient of a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship. Michael received third place at the 1998 Leigh Howard Stevens International Marimba Competition, held at the Eastman School of Music. In 1999 he toured Taiwan as a soloist, performing in three of the country’s largest concert halls, and presented a clinic at the National Institute for the Arts, in Taipei.

Rumble Strips II	Gordon Stout
The most prolific and well-known composer of marimba music, Gordon Stout is an important influence on nearly every marimbist in the world. This work, which he conceived while driving down the highway, comprises two movements, slow then fast, of which the second is included on this cd.
Rebonds b	Iannis Xenakis
One of the few multiple percussion pieces already considered a ‘classic,’ the variety of moods and sounds Xenakis creates from this comparatively small number of instruments is astounding, as is the power evoked.
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden	J.S.Bach
A Bach chorale, in my opinion, is the ultimate demonstration of a player’s ability to combine marimba technique, the roll in particular, and the practical application of music theory and analysis. I personally include at least one chorale in every solo performance, and encourage the same of my students.
Concerto For Percussion I	Steven Stuckey
The Pulitzer Prize winning composer’s piece is performed with the James Madison University Wind Symphony, under the direction of Patrick Rooney, during the 2006 Contemporary Music Festival, which featured Steven Stuckey. The first movement is included here.
The Call of Boromir	Daniel McCarthy
A fairly new work, The Call of Boromir was written before the Lord of the Rings movies brought Boromir and his horn to common household knowledge. Abigail Pack, professor of music at James Madison University, plays horn in this performance.
Failing: A Very Difficult Piece for Solo Marimba	Tom Johnson
The iconic bass piece transcribed to marimba… Further explanation is found in the recording.