Backstage Pass "RPO Marimba Band"

Backstage Pass presents the RPO Marimba Band. Watch a video clip from the recording!

Backstage Pass, WXXI's live monthly radio series that features local and visiting musicians, presents the RPO Marimba Band on Friday, October 29 at 1 p.m. on Classical 91.5/FM-HD91.5-1. Host Julia Figueras welcomes the band for a return appearance and talks with the six members about costs, education, women in percussion, and the musicality of banging things. The program repeats on Sunday, October 31 at 2 p.m.

Described as “one of the Rochester area’s unique and notable treasures” (SUNY Brockport The Stylus), the RPO Marimba Band was established in 1979 by Bill and Ruth Cahn and John Beck, is comprised of members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's current Percussion Section, and continues a half-century of tradition that was established in the 1950's by the Eastman School of Music's “Marimba Masters”. Specializing in music written and arranged for melodic percussion instruments, the RPO Marimba Band performs Ragtime Xylophone pieces and novelty music from the early decades of the 20th century, many South-of-the-border and Jazz tunes, and utilize a wide array of percussion instruments which include a Xylophone, two Marimbas, Vibraphone, Steel Drum, and Drum Set. Since their formation they have performed in venues throughout Western New York.

Backstage Pass is a live, hour-long radio series that is committed to highlighting performing artists – giving listeners the opportunity to hear local and visiting artists perform live. The series is made possible in part by a grant from the Gouvernet Arts Fund at Rochester Area Community Foundation.

Excerpt from today's show:

Listen to the interview!