Over the past decade I have attended dozens of clinics and masterclasses aimed at explaining methods for preparing orchestral percussion audition repertoire, and describing techniques for succeeding in an audition environment. I have also read numerous articles in percussion magazines, and viewed several educational DVDs addressing the same issues. Furthermore, professional performers (including myself) and… Read more »
Our friend, the distinguished American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, is celebrating her 70th birthday in April and we wish her the happiest of birthdays.
Bob Becker presents a great lecture-demo called The Magic and Mystery of Cymbals. In it he explores history, terminology, special effects and techniques, choices of instrument, and even performance issues such as “misleading notation.” Bob has written a useful article (read it here)
[flv:ggapril09.mp4 480 360] Dress Rehearsal in the Glenn Gould Studio, CBC, Toronto – April 5, 2009
What a great weekend of NEXUS concerts! I attended the one in downtown Toronto. You couldn’t find a happier introduction to a NEXUS concert than the new work by Gordon Stout, Prelude-Winter Song, which immediately showed NEXUS to be in exceptionally fine form.
Last night – April 4, 2009 – was the time for us to celebrate Ray Dillard’s birthday at “The Host”, a Toronto Indian restaurant that has been a favourite of NEXUS for years. It was quite a gathering of about 25 of Ray’s and Lorrie’s friends and family. Joining the party all the way… Read more »
Here is a photo taken near the end of sound check prior to the concert at the Glenn Gould Studio on April 5, 2009.
I admit it . . . I’m a bass drum. I am a concert bass drum and I have a problem; I get no respect. Everyone uses me . . . but that’s not the problem. The problem is that I am sooo carelessly used. I am used – without thought about how beautifully I… Read more »
From time to time I will be reminding our presenters that NEXUS has marketing materials available for your use, and that some financial aid is available to you from our sponsor Pearl/Adams if you wish to present a NEXUS educational event such as a clinic, workshop, or master-class.
I want to remind our Ontario presenters that the Ontario Arts Council is there as a huge help to NEXUS and YOU. The OAC’s Touring Office has helped NEXUS and our Ontario presenters with expenses many times over the years. With the Council’s touring aid NEXUS has been able to visit all parts of the… Read more »
NEXUS member Russell Hartenberger has also been a member of Minimalism and the Music of Steve Reich.
“Raga No. 1” for solo timpani was first published in 1978 by Wimbledon Music, and since then it has been performed by timpanists and percussionists all over the world. It continues to be among the most selected of works in the repertoire for percussion recitals, juries, and competitions. I have occasionally received inquiries about various… Read more »
NEXUS is performing on the evenings of Friday April 3rd in Orangeville Ontario (ticket information here) and Sunday April 5th in downtown Toronto (tickets available here). Choose one, or go to both! Each venue gives plenty of scope for making a day of it. The attractive town of Orangeville offers a spring drive in the… Read more »
Spring is sprung, and the pale green sprouts in my garden tell me it is time for fresh starts. One spring task I always enjoy is the updating of the NEXUS Concert Summary. It is a little booklet that outlines where NEXUS has been over its 38 year history. Let me share some of these… Read more »
One of the wonders of the new digital age is the ability to have live interactive events that are shared by individuals and organizations scattered throughout the world. I first experienced ‘Internet-2‘ two years ago during the Steve Reich 70th birthday year in which I actually had a brief long-distance conversation with Steve – I… Read more »
