“Legend,” Southwestern Michigan College’s winter band concert, as the culmination of Percussion Clinic Day Feb. 28, featured 15 percussionists from six area schools.

Earlier in the day students worked with clinicians Dan Ingman, SMC’s second-year percussion instructor, and vibraphonist Margaret Parker of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps based in Canton, Ohio, and Drum Corps International World Class Champions in 2016 and 2024.

Ingman soloed on frame drum and played xylophone on “Fluffy Ruffles” with the SMC Symphonic Band.

“Fluffy Ruffles” is a novelty tune from the Ragtime era. Written in 1919, its title comes from a comic about a woman whose inheritance does not come through. She must enter the workforce. Every job she takes ends in disaster, either by firing or wild circumstances out of her control.

Student performers on “Avalanche Lake” included: Jenni Antonio-Bernache, Eau Claire High School; Tristan Bower, Brandywine High School; Jackson Carnahan, South Bend Career Academy; Zach Doster, South Bend Career Academy; Aurora Eisele, Berrien Springs High School; Joselyn Hernandez, Eau Claire High School; Ronson Jordan, Brandywine High School; Braiden Maglish, South Bend Career Academy; Antonio Mahone-Perkins, Covert High School; Angel Nearpass, Watervliet High School; Liam Olson-Shackelford, Brandywine High School; Liz Torres, Watervliet High School; Hannah Variell, Watervliet High School; and Gavin Sehy and Ezra Embil, SMC.

“Margaret and I led them through a day of rehearsals,” Ingman said. “We did some old things, like triangle and tambourine. When you play those, play with authority. The same way Will Ferrell plays the cowbell, we can play the triangle that way. We talked a lot about confidence. Percussion can be strong and powerful, but it can also be delicate.”

Ingman said “Avalanche Lake” was inspired by composer Patrick Speranza’s trips to Glacier National Park in Montana.

“If you’ve never been,” Ingman said, “it’s one of the most beautiful natural places in the world. It’s quite a climb, but when you get to the top, it overlooks a lake. If you ever want to take a road trip, I will go with you every single time.”

The Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Director of Bands Mark Hollandsworth opened the concert in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building with Clifford Brown’s “The Blues Walk,” featuring saxophonists Joe Rizzo of Niles and Isaiah Morris of Elkhart on tenor and alto, respectively.

Rizzo and New Buffalo tenor saxophonist Diego Cervantes were in the spotlight with drummer Logan Petruska of Edwardsburg on Thelonious Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t.”

Lawton trumpeter Madison Packer and Paw Paw trombonist Aliya Leavitt took the limelight on Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone.”

“On Green Dolphin Street” featured guitarist Zayne Hunsberger of Niles and trombonist Sam Crago of Watervliet.

Hollandsworth conducted the Symphonic Band for the “National Emblem March,” “Nimrod, from Enigma Variations” and “Variations on a Korean Folksong.”

“Legend,” featuring works, composers and performers who stood the test of time and achieved legendary status in wind band and jazz music, contrasted with the previous “Among Us,” highlighting living composers.

Percussion Clinic Day also featured an instrument and accessories “petting zoo” featuring Black Swamp Percussion and a panel that included Rick Gordillo, a percussion specialist with co-sponsor Quinlan and Fabish Music.

The Winter Choir Concert, “Her Song,” featuring female composers, takes place this Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.