The stage darkens and the crowd quiets. Something moves in the black lights and luminescent faces emerge. They get in formation and the show begins.

Every year Electronica has a theme and this performance is no different. In fact, the audience can expect an amazing show that’s like nothing they’ve ever seen before. In celebration of its tenth year anniversary there will be over two hours of classic music by famous artists like Queen, David Bowie, The Beatles and Metallica. This year’s shows will be held in the Rider auditorium starting at 7 p.m., from April 25 to the 27.

Electronica, the idea that forged and evolved an entirely new creation. The brainchild of Rider’s head band director Loy Studer and former percussion director Matt Filosa, Electronica started out as a new purpose and opportunity for Rider’s percussionists. With a lack of proper instruments, structure and entertaining parts in the percussion program, it was time for a solution.

“Concert band can sometimes be boring for the drummers,” Studer said. “So Electronica was our creative way of giving them something to do.”

This is where the ingenuity comes in. In a nutshell, Electronica is a ninety minute performance. Many medias and intricate details are included in its production. In the show, the percussionists act, perform both classical and modern percussion music, interact with the crowd and even dance to choreographies.

“We tend to make it engaging, entertaining, and we build it around a theme so that everyone who comes can enjoy it,” said Geoffrey Martin, head percussion director and executive Electronica producer.

Also part of Electronica is its traditional costume: a glowing face and black bodysuit. This tradition started with the beginning of Electronica itself and was created to be the centerpiece of the show.

“We try to convey all the emotions in our performance through this emotionless mask,” Martin said.

Throughout the years, Electronica has become one of Rider’s iconic performances. This is surely a tradition that will carry on through the generations of students and directors to come.