Drumming up a degree

Intermountain Catholic

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Jed Blodgett performs during the Jan. 18 recital at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church. IC photo/Laura Vallejo

DRAPER – Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Draper was filled with percussion sounds Jan. 18 as Jed Blodgett presented a recital for the public.

Blodgett oversees the Percussion and Orchestra programs at Juan Diego Catholic High School and Saint John the Baptist Middle School. He has been a faculty member at the Skaggs Catholic Center for four years and is working on an advanced degree at Brigham Young University, where he earned his undergraduate degree.

Parishioners as well as students and families from the Skaggs Catholic Center were present at the recital.

"This presentation is part of my master’s," said Blodgett, who also emphasized that he was grateful for the opportunity to perform in "such a beautiful scenario. I am very grateful to Monsignor [Joseph] Mayo for his presence at the event and for the opportunity of performing in the parish."

Blodgett has been teaching and performing as a percussionist for more than 10 years. He has toured as far away as Portugal and Spain, and has performed with musical groups as diverse as symphonies and salsa bands.

With a repertoire that included pieces such as "Präludium – G Moll" by Bach, "From My Little Island" by Aldridge, and "In Memoriam" by Gernsheim, Blodgett displayed his skill on a variety of percussive instruments.

"It is amazing what this professor is able to do with his instruments," said Alma Burckman, who just moved to Utah from Oregon and is now a parishioner of St. John the Baptist. "I heard about the recital and I was intrigued. I totally enjoyed it. He did an outstanding job."

For some pieces Blodgett was accompanied by Gavin Ryan on the vibes and Dr. Doug O’Neill on the organ.