Indiana University East will host the premiere of Ensemble-The Film, a documentary feature focusing on the Test Middle School Drum Ensemble as directed by Kevin Van Note.

The premiere of the film will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, and Thursday, May 19, in Vivian Auditorium, located in Whitewater Hall. A short question and answer session will follow the movie.

The premiere is free and open to the public.

The film was directed and produced by James Barbre, an assistant professor of education and the director of Graduate Programs in Education at IU East.

Barbre said he had several reasons for wanting to film the documentary.

“There are excellent things happening in classrooms with kids and teachers, but the way that schools are sometimes represented does not reflect the positive efforts that so many people put in each day. Seeing a group like this, that an entire community is so proud of and that so many other people are amazed by, isn’t something that should be taken for granted,” Barbre said. “In a sense, this film is a celebration of what education should be about in the first place. I’m also a big fan of ethnic music and a percussionist myself.”

Barbre followed the ensemble through the practices and performances of the 2009-2010 school year, interviewing teachers, students, parents, and community members. Good music, interesting observations, and the effects of community can be seen throughout the times that the kids and teacher spend as a part of this group that seems to change and grow a little each year.