Staff writer
Cory Hills used a table of percussion instruments to illustrate his story of “The Lost Bicycle” to the kindergarten and second-grade classes at Marion Elementary School Friday for Fine Arts Day.
Cowbells, ox bells from India, wood blocks, cymbals, gongs, and shakers were all subject to his drumming. Hills also produced sounds from odd combinations of objects: he poured water into a bowl to simulate a river, rubbed a violin bow against a cymbal to create a “storm,” and used a thunder tube to evoke thunder.
“I try to find different ways of making sounds,” Hills said. “We call ourselves sound doctors.”
Different sounds represented different characters in the story of “The Lost Bicycle.” The boy who loses his bike was introduced by a tap on Hills’ wood block; the storm, the boy’s primary reason for losing his bicycle, was introduced by grinding the violin bow against one of his cymbals and shaking his thunder tube.
The music throughout the story was played at a different pace depending on the characters involved — Hills played a slower rhythm while the tortoise was in the story and drummed rapidly while the cheetah was involved.
Three stories — “The Turnip,” “Tikitikkitembo,” and “Mjouv” — were part of Hills’ performance at an MES assembly Friday morning, but he performed “The Lost Bicycle” for each MES class throughout the day. He then took questions from students about his instruments and music.
Hills’ performances are provided by a non-profit organization, Reach Out Kansas, Inc. The organization’s goal is to bring classical music to schools with little access to performers.
While performing for Reach Out Kansas, Hills is also double majoring at the University of Kansas in music composition and education and performance.