Current Offerings

Happy Old Year, Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year to you all! The last few months of 2019 treated us very well – and featured spectacular collaborations, too.   In Eastman’s Kilbourn Hall – where this whole “NEXUS thing” began in 1971 – we were part of this year’s Rochester Fringe Festival.

San Jacinto College, Pasadena TX – see you soon!

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San Jacinto College Central has invited us for a March residency that’s going to cover a LOT of ground! The emails have been flying about the concert programming and it’s going to be a lot of fun, with fanfares and ragtime and Bob Becker’s “Palta” arranged for steel band – it’s going to be great.

Quotes about Repertoire

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MALLET QUARTET  by Steve Reich co-commissioned by Amadinda, NEXUS, SoPercussion, Synergy Percussion, and Soundstreams Mallet Quartet is about 15 minutes in duration. It was co-commissioned by the Amadinda Quartet in Budapest (on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary, NEXUS in Toronto, So Percussion in New York, Synergy Percussion in Australia, and Soundstreams in Canada.  Here… Read more »

NEXUS Workshops

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NEXUS WORKSHOPS – An Overview In 1971 there were only two professional percussion ensembles in North America – The Blackearth Percussion Group, started by Garry Kvistad, and the ‘other’ percussion group, founded by Bob Becker, Bill Cahn, Robin Engelman, Russell Hartenberger and John Wyre. Now there is one ensemble that contains the wealth of experience,… Read more »

NEXUS Pops and Family Repertoire with Orchestra

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A Listing of Programs 1) “An African Celebration” A concert featuring authentic Ghanaian music and arrangements of African music for orchestra with master drummers. Exciting West African drumming plus the rousing Concerto for African Percussion Ensemble and Orchestra by the popular American composer Bill Douglas. A truly inspiring presentation that provides a multi cultural experience… Read more »

NEXUS and Choir

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A Partial Listing of Program Options These and other works can be combined and further suggestions by choir directors are welcomed. The 21st Century: Four Rituals (for percussion quintet, choir and audience) – by Christos Hatzis The 20th Century: Carmina Burana (complete or excerpts) – by Carl Orff, Catulli Carmina by Carl Orff Epitaph for… Read more »

NEXUS in an International and Educational Context

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Concepts and Past Examples of Programs INFLUENCE: NEXUS is in the unique position of being influential in many contexts. They are the Ensemble in Residence at the University of Toronto. Two members teach regularly at the University and others are often available for student consultation. NEXUS has become a resource for almost every other performing… Read more »

SOLO RECITAL

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NEXUS SOLO RECITAL NEXUS recital programs are approximately two hours in duration with a 15-minute intermission. The music draws from NEXUS’ rich and varied repertoire of jazz and novelty ragtime music, ethnic music (works based upon drumming from India and Africa), improvisation, and contemporary works written for NEXUS by composers such as Steve Reich, John… Read more »

Additional Choral Repertoire

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Nexus and Choir Below is a partial list of works for percussion and choir presently in NEXUS’ repertoire. These and other works can be combined and further suggestions by choir directors are welcomed. The 21st Century: Four Rituals (for percussion quintet, choir and audience) – by Christos Hatzis The 20th Century: Carmina Burana (complete or… Read more »

Choral Programs

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“With Voice and Drum” – CHORAL REPERTOIRE FEATURING NEXUS 1) Wright’s Lessons (1995) by William L. Cahn (b. 1946) “Wright’s Lessons” was composed between June and December 1995 for NEXUS, string quartet, narrator and the Toronto Children’s Chorus under the direction of Jean Ashworth-Bartle. The text is directly taken from a reader for children written… Read more »

NEXUS Residency

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NEXUS RESIDENCIES NEXUS Community Residencies NEXUS draws upon the education and experience of its five members – among them doctoral, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees in music and education, combined with decades of involvement with schools and teachers in creating educational programming that is designed to communicate joy in the power of music to bring people… Read more »

Pops & Family Repertoire With Symphony & Chamber Orchestra

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1) “An African Celebration” A concert featuring authentic Ghanaian music and arrangements of African music for orchestra with master drummers. Exciting West African drumming plus the rousing Concerto for African Percussion Ensemble and Orchestra by the popular American composer Bill Douglas. A truly inspiring presentation that provides a multi cultural experience for your community. “…. Read more »

Jazz Festival Program

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JAZZ FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING NEXUS Jazz Festival Program Jazz (jaz), n. 1. Music. a. A style of music, characterized by melodious themes, subtly syncopated dance rhythms, and varied coloring. b. A name for the 20th- century style in music which came to be distinguished from its predecessors, Ragtime and Blues. c. A musical form which originated… Read more »

Silent Film Accompaniments

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A LIST OF FILM OPTIONS 1) “TEDDY AT THE THROTTLE” (A Mack Sennett Silent Film – 1916) music arr. by William Cahn (b.1946) Mack Sennett’s great silent comedy, Teddy At The Throttle, was made at the height of the silent film era. Between the years 1915 and 1930 many musicians were employed by movie theaters… Read more »

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