Documenting the NIU Experience to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mountains of Illinois

Item

Title

Mountains of Illinois

Description

This is my marimba transcription of Chet Atkins and Pat Bergeson's "Mountains of Illinois," as recorded by the inimitable Tommy Emmanuel, CGP. Emmanuel's recordings have long been on my short list of musical inspirations, and his live performances are full of joy. I have my mom to thank for this. The day she showed me Tommy's first solo recording, "Only," I was instantly enthralled.

The Mountains of Illinois is a special tune for me. I've been living in Illinois since 2004 when I began teaching at the Northern Illinois University School of Music. As the current Director of Percussion Studies, a program that began in the mid 1960's and whose Directors have included:

Robert Buggert
Tom Siwe
G. Allan O'Connor
Rich Holly
Robert Chappell

I see my role as that of a caretaker of a program of excellence that spans over sixty years. Each of these men who came before me were mountains in their own right, and it is my job to make this program as good as it can be and to pass on in eventually to the next director who will have her own vision of percussion artistry. I'm also have the humbling honor of teaching alongside the deeply soulful Ben Wahlund.

This performance, then, is dedicated to Ben, to Rich, to Robert, and to the memory of G. Allan O'Connor and Clifford Alexis, two of the more formidable peaks of the NIU Percussion mountain range.

Contributor is Creator

Yes

Affiliation

Faculty

Creator

Gregory Scott Beyer

Date Created

May 13, 2020

Contributor

Gregory Scott Beyer

Item sets

COVID Pandemic Story and Media Submissions

This item was submitted on May 13, 2020 by Gregory Scott Beyer using the form “Submit Your Story” on the site “Documenting the NIU Experience to the COVID-19 Pandemic”: https://digitalexhibits.lib.niu.edu/s/covid-pandemic