Gordon Stout performs free show

World-renowned composer and marimbist Gordon Stout will make his first performance at IU this Tuesday.

Stout comes to IU as a faculty member of this year’s Summer Percussion Academy and Workshop. He will perform a free show for students and the public at 8 p.m. in Auer Hall.

“We try to bring in people who are well-known and really established,” Program Director and Professor of Music John Tafoya said. “It brings in a lot of interest to the program.”

According to his Web site, Stout has taught and performed throughout the world in places such as Hungary and Taiwan. He has also been a professor of percussion at Ithaca College’s School of Music in Ithaca, N.Y., since 1980.

He also has been to 12 International PAS Conventions as a featured marimbist and has served on the jury for several international marimbist competitions, according to his Web site.

IU Associate Professor of Music Kevin Bobo studied under Stout when he received his Master’s Degree from Ithaca College.

“He has an incredible sound,” Bobo said. “He’s an incredibly emotional player – one of the most expressive.”

Stout said music was an important part of his childhood and that his parents encouraged him to play. He first learned how to play the piano, and then also picked up the marimba because of its similarity to piano.

“It was easy for me to approach and feel confident playing,” Stout said.

Bobo said Stout’s greatest contribution as a teacher is that he helps his students develop their own original style.

“A lot of his students have gone on to be very successful,” Bobo said. “All sound different and have a unique way of playing.”

Stout said the show is “not a black-and-white kind of affair,” but more of an informal look at the marimba and some of his work.

“People will get a program that shows the many and varied expressions of the marimba,” Stout said.