Armstrong River Hawks Taiko officially earned a place to perform at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) conference on April 19 in Erie, PA, for the first time in AHS history. 

The Armstrong River Hawks Taiko ensemble is composed of four groups under the direction of Mr. Rob Reams, the junior high band director. In its history, taiko has done many performances for schools and the community, but this will be its first professional performance. 

In Erie, the group performed a small concert and clinic for the professionals at the PMEA conference. This was Taiko’s second time holding a workshop — the first being the April 2023 clinic held at Danville High School in central PA. 

The main focus of the workshops that Taiko holds is to teach the basics of the art form through learning a new piece hands-on. The Taiko members helped teach the piece to those who volunteered. 

Mr. Reams has been teaching taiko at AHS for six years. He also teaches a group at Leechburg Area High School and performs in the Pittsburgh Taiko ensemble.

Of the four Taiko groups, each played two pieces. Group A performed “Ready, Set, KaDon!” by Shoji Kameda, and “Together.” Group B performed “Snow Day,” by Mr. Reams, and “Tatsumaki.” Group C performed “Kagari Dengaku,” by Tatara Toki, and “Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi.” 

The fue (bamboo flute) group performed “Bamboo Poem,” a new piece, “Kokirko Bushi,” a piece featured last year, and “Kangari Dengaku,” which was played with Group C.