Beethoven once said, “to play a wrong note is insignificant, but to play without passion is inexcusable.”

November 8, in celebration of Kutztown University’s sesquicentennial and 80^th anniversary of the Century of Progress Marimba Orchestra, over 100 percussionists from across the country will perform in a 150-piece marimba orchestra at Kutztown University.

Mr. Stephen Horvath, learning support teacher and percussion instructor, sophomore Kaitlyn Pekarik and senior Cody Gemmell have been invited to participate in the concert where they will have the opportunity to attend numerous rehearsals and clinics over the duration of the weekend, ending with the concert on Sunday.

“This opportunity doesn’t come along very often,” Mr. Horvath said. “I could be sharing a marimba with an unknown high school student or a world-class musician. Percussionists are extremely open in this regard, and the sharing of ideas should make for a great weekend.”

Because Mr. Horvath studied with percussion professors at Kutztown University, he was invited to participate in the concert. Pekarik and Gemmell were invited to participate as students under Mr. Horvath.

“Cody and Kaitlyn have the necessary skills to perform at this level,” Mr. Horvath said.

In 1933-1934, a marimba designer and Lancaster County native by the name of Clair Omar Musser put together a 100-piece marimba orchestra named “A Century of Progress” that performed at the World’s Fair in Chicago. The concert being held at Kutztown University was organized in celebration of the 80^th anniversary of Musser’s original marimba orchestra.

“It’s going to be a great experience to play with the greatest marimba players in the world,” Pekarik said.

The percussionists will perform several pieces written by classical composers that have been arranged for marimba, and they will also be playing a world premiere, written by Gordon Stout, professor of percussion at Ithaca College. Stout is considered one of the masters of the marimba, having written several compositions for the instrument and performed them worldwide.

“The concert on Sunday is already sold out,” Mr. Horvath said. “They are recording it, so we may pop up on YouTube or on an album.”

In preparation for the concert, Mr. Horvath, Pekarik and Gemmell received their music in August to begin learning the pieces of music. The first time they will rehearse as a group with the other marimbists will be November 7, the day before the concert. In order to prepare efficiently, participants in the orchestra had to rigorously practice over the past two and a half months.

“I’ve never performed with a marimba orchestra, so this is a new challenge,” Mr. Horvath said. “Some of the music is easy, but performing with so many people raises the level of precision. I’ve been practicing every day so I can play my part in the event.”

The concert November 8 will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Schaeffer Auditorium at Kutztown University, and the concert is expected to last approximately one and a half hours.

“I’m most looking forward to playing alongside so many famous marimba players from around the country,” Gemmell said. “Just being able to play under them is an honor.”