The Department of Performing and Visual Arts hopes to make a new addition to their musical instrument collection: a modern version of their old marimba.
Originating from South American cultures, the marimba is part of the percussion family and is constructed from a series of wooden bars. Similar to a xylophone, sound is emitted from a marimba when the musician strikes the wooden bars with a mallet.
As of now, The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is the only university within the UW System that has yet to acquire a modern marimba which, unlike older models, includes ten extra wooden bars. Music sorority Sigma Alpha Iota and fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia have taken the initiative to organize a three-year effort to raise the approximate $16,000 needed to purchase the desired model.
“This is one of the biggest projects that these organizations have taken on,” music professor Dan Fairchild said. “So far they have had a Take 2 spaghetti dinner.”
The need for this musical instrument stems directly from the hindrance that the old model marimba causes students and musicians.
“Being that we are the only university in the system that doesn’t have a five-octave marimba, musicians here are limited to only certain types of musical literature,” said Haley DeShane, fifth year senior Business Administration and president of Sigma Alpha Iota.
A modern marimba model will allow percussion students to break out of their comfort zone, according to Fairchild. The ten extra rosewood bars provide more playing space by extending the instrument’s range, which means students will have more opportunity to play modern musical pieces including solo music.
“The rosewood bars are very expensive and if there are any flaws like scratches on them the instrument sounds out of tune and dead,” Fairchild said. “A marimba in this condition will not fill a concert hall.”
The purchase of the marimba is one of the Department of Performing and Visual Arts’ first steps to modernize their instrument collection. They previously purchased a $122,000 Steinway wooden piano with university funds.
Both Fairchild and DeShane emphasized the importance of providing students and musicians with quality instruments like the marimba, especially under the circumstance that there are 50-60 music majors and minors at the university, yet the department consists of 600 student musicians, most of whom, volunteer their time and musical talents.
“This department would be nothing without those students who volunteer their time,” Fairchild said.
Fairchild also paid recognition to the university’s administration for their recognition of the music department’s need for updated equipment.
“We all have our expiration dates,” Fairchild said, referring to the department’s old model marimba. “It’s time to make improvements and take good music to other schools.”
Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia have received donations from local businesses towards purchasing the marimba.
In addition, these organizations will be hosting another spaghetti dinner March 8 at the First English Lutheran Church. Pre-sold tickets cost $7 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets purchased at the door will cost $8 for adults and $4 for children. All of the proceeds will go towards the marimba fundraiser.