Manheim Central High School musicians will share the spotlight with a special guest when they present a spring concert on Thursday, May 15, beginning at 7 p.m. at the high school, 400 E. Adele Ave.

The concert will feature Momentum percussion ensemble, orchestra and concert band.

"Momentum will be performing 'Dreams of a Spring Jubilee,' 'Pilgrim's Chorus' from Tannhauser and 'Bolero,'" said Stephanie Smith, director of Momentum and assistant Manheim Central marching band director. "The first song,  'Dreams of a Spring Jubilee,' is the world premiere of that composition."

The composer, Matthew Coley, created the piece in 2020, but the pandemic put a hold on it being performed. Thanks to a grant from the Manheim Central Foundation for Educational Enrichment (MCFEE), Smith was able to bring Coley in for a musical residency this year with Momentum students.

"Dr. Coley suggested premiering his composition once we learned we had received the grant to enable Dr. Coley to do a residency with Momentum, and he heard we had the right number of performers for the various instruments the composition was written for," Smith said. "Dr. Coley will play with the group on a glass marimba - yes, glass - a dulcimer and a marimba."

Coley will then conduct the other two pieces, both of which were arranged by Manheim native Clair Omar Musser.

"Musser was known for creating 100- to 200-piece marimba orchestras in the 1930s to showcase the marimba as an instrument," Smith shared. "To honor Musser's original orchestras, we have invited Momentum alumni and instructors to also join in, creating a modest - by Musser's standards - 25-piece marimba ensemble for this concert."

Coley is an internationally recognized percussionist and founder of Heartland Marimba. Known for his performances on marimba, hammered dulcimer and cimbalom, he has appeared as a soloist across the U.S. and internationally. Through Heartland Marimba, he's led more than 250 concerts and released several acclaimed albums.

"Dr. Coley and I have gotten to know each other through various percussion events and platforms and share an interest in inspiring the next generation of percussionists," Smith said. "This is Momentum's 10th season, and I thought a residency with a professional percussionist would be a great way to celebrate the last 10 years and look forward to the future. Dr. Coley was agreeable to the idea, and here we are!" The MCFEE grant provided funds for Coley to come to the school to rehearse and perform with the students. The May 15 concert will wrap up Coley's residency.

Smith said audiences can expect to hear a variety of music from students who have worked hard to present the concert.

"The Momentum portion of the concert is packed with so many one-of-kind performances," she said. "World premieres are profound for the performers and the composer, since it is the first time the music will be experienced publicly. It sets the expectations for future performances, so there is a heightened sense of responsibility for our performers. This one is unique because the composer will play with them!"

She also noted that it's rare to see a large marimba ensemble in concert and being able to create the opportunity in Musser's hometown is especially meaningful.

"Following the three Momentum songs, Dr. Coley will perform some of Musser's etudes for a solo performer, including one that Musser wrote for piano that was just recently arranged for marimba - another first public performance!" Smith said. "We also plan to include a video of Musser himself playing."