Prof. Cheryl Grosso directs and composed four of the five pieces by the Hand Drumming Ensemble.

"Rhythm Chant GN," by Grosso, is a popular offering by the group. It is called "GN" because it is inspired by funeral music Grosso heard from the Gulu tribe in Niger.

"C-Section/Sciatic" is a student-composed piece developed by members of the ensemble. It involves a unique variation around the bell, which is usually the main timekeeper in a hand-drum ensemble.

"Rhythm Chant 14," a marimba, features an improvised electric guitar solo throughout by Jazz Studies major Zach Grusznski, of Trempealeau.

Rhythm chant "Col-Ba-Nu-Nu" is Grosso's third version of the Columbian rhumba rhythm chant "Col-Ba."

The final hand-drumming piece is the world premier of "Percussion Chant." Grosso composed it specifically for, "a great group of hand drummers this semester," which includes returning and experienced students. It's influenced by a concert percussion ensemble and blends Ghanaian themes with instruments not typically found in a hand-drumming ensemble.

Prof. Adam Gaines directs the New Music Ensemble, which will include "Persistence of Time," a piece composed by student Timothy P. Keifer, of Germantown.

"Time is an inescapable constant in this life. And at its end, time continues forward," Kiefer said of the inspiration behind his composition.

Other songs include "In C," by minimalist composer Terry Riley, a selection of "Children's Songs" by Chick Corea and arranged by Prof. Gaines, "The Straits of Magellan" by Morton Feldman, and "Suite for Brass" by Robert Dillon.

The New Music Ensemble features 11 students playing guitar, piano, percussion, saxophones, euphoniums, bass, keyboards and the clarinet.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students or seniors. Tickets are available by calling (920) 465-2217, toll-free at (800) 328-8587 or online by visiting www.uwgb.edu/tickets.