The ISU Percussion Ensemble will be beating on the drums tonight in a concert at 7:30 in the Recital Hall of Music Hall.

ISU Percussion Ensemble conductor Barry Larkin said the group will perform a variety of numbers, including a series of marimba pieces.

Matthew Good, member of the Percussion Ensemble, describes marimba as an instrument that resembles a xylophone.

Good said a marimba is, however, much larger than an xylophone and produces a more resonant sound.

The Percussion Ensemble is actually a class consisting of five students, Larkin, who also instructs the class, said.

He said he will also be performing in some of the pieces in tonight’s concert.

One of the specific pieces to be performed, Larkin said, is the extremely advanced piece, “The Whole Toy Laid Down.”

He said this piece has become quite popular with audiences across the United States.

Amy Erickson, another member of the Percussion Ensemble, said “The Whole Toy Laid Down” is her favorite of all the pieces the group will play tonight.

She described the piece as being complicated, but fun for the musicians to perform.

Along with the marimba, an array of percussion instruments will be used throughout the concert.

Good said some of the instruments include timpani drums and temple blocks.

Besides giving concerts throughout the year, Larkin said the ISU Percussion Ensemble also participates in the Des Moines Symphony Outreach Program.

In this program, Larkin said, the group is able to go into grade schools throughout Des Moines to perform for children.

Larkin said tonight’s concert, which is free to the public, will be the group’s peak concert of the year.