For the City Times

Marimba artists will gather at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point July 9-16 to celebrate the classic percussion instrument as part of the 2017 Heartland Marimba Festival Academy.

Four public concerts will be offered, each at 7:30 p.m. with a $15 suggested donation:

· Tuesday, July 11, Michelsen Hall – Opening concert, featuring the Heartland Marimba Quartet, the Heartland Marimba Collective and Matthew Coley
· Thursday, July 13, Michelsen Hall – Festival student soloists and ensembles
· Friday, July 14, Michelsen Hall – Student and faculty ensembles, the Heartland Marimba Quartet and Heartland Marimba Festival Marimba Orchestra
· Saturday, July 15, Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, 800 Main St., Stevens Point – Festival faculty and student soloists

Hosted by Brian Baldauff, a UW-Stevens Point assistant professor of percussion, and directed by marimba soloist Matthew Coley, the festival brings high school and college-age marimba artists together with professionals, ensemble groups and composers for master classes and performances.

In addition to Baldauff and Coley, the festival will feature Gordon Stout of the Ithaca College School of Music, Sean Kleve of Wisconsin’s Clocks in Motion percussion ensemble and members of the Heartland Marimba Quartet and Heartland Marimba Collective.

For more information, go to www.heartlandmarimbafestival.com.