People & Places – January 2023

BRAZIL
The Percussion Group of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro School of Music (EM-UFRJ), under the direction of Dr. Pedro Sá, presented a world premiere on Oct. 31, 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, as part of the event Panorama of Current Brazilian Music, at the Leopoldo Miguez Hall of the UFRJ School of Music. The piece premiered was “Jongada Fantástica,” written by Filipe de Matos Rocha. This challenging and engaging work was scored for drums of jongo rhythm, one of the “fathers of samba,” including candongueiro (high drum), caxambu (middle drum), and tambu (low drum), along with marimba, glockenspiel, vibraphone, and other percussion instruments. Under the direction of its Director, Professor Dr. Pedro Sá, the members of the percussion group were Rafael de Oliveira, Nathan Medeiros, Railson Marques, Cleyton Newman, Matheus Santos, Johnny Rodrigues, and Eliezer Macedo, all students of the BA in Percussion at EM-UFRJ.