His configuration of gear is rather intricate, and Baltich’s main concern with the performance is how the bars will respond with the technical setup. I’m sure somebody somewhere has done something like this, but I couldn’t find anything like it with the marimba.” Zack Baltich. I had to figure out the setup I will be using Saturday night on my own. I wondered what would happen if I found a way to bring that to what they do the marimba. I’ve been working with guitar players for years, and I was always fascinated with the sounds they can make with pedals. “I think percussionists are always trying to find new ways to make different sounds. “For this piece, I’m running certain bars of the marimba strip through guitar pedals,” he continues. It’s got a good combination of attack, and you can also make beautiful, soft lines.” “Marimba is kind of an obscure instrument, but I’ve always found it beautiful. “I wanted something that played notes – something that allowed me to be able to choose the pitches and melodies,” he shares. The drummer turned to the marimba, something he found at his time at Augsburg. There, he immersed himself in classical percussion and experimentation on various percussion instruments.įor his commissioned piece, Baltich began composing in September and looked for a versatile instrument for the performance. Seeking a place to expand his musical world, Baltich packed up his car and found a new home in the cities, where he studied music performance at Augsburg College. When the winter snow melted, and spring gave way to summer, Baltich would spend his time working on his family’s resort surrounded by the beauty of the Boundary Waters. In the small, northern town of Ely, Minnesota, Zack Baltich grew up playing music with his friends on weekends and along with performing in high school band. 4th) finds MC SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE, percussionist Zack Baltich, and exploring dance and the tabla with Krissy Bergmark.īaltich and Bergmark, both percussionists, share their stories on how their pieces came together over these past months. 3rd) will showcase Bethany Battafarano, Ritika Ganguly, and Dameun Strange. The six artists will perform their 30-minute pieces this coming weekend at the Minneapolis venue, ranging from songs about matriarchal ancestors to poetry translated into music. In September of 2016, the Cedar Cultural Center, along with the Jerome Foundation, paired with six musicians to compose original work. Baltich is one of six composers whose new work will be featured in the Cedar Commissions performances, on stage February 3 and 4, 2017.

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