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, knowledge and vision of …
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 …
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 Moonlight - …
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 …
A List of Programming Options
1) From me flows what you call Time (1990) by Toru Takemitsu - 30:00
Since the premiere in Carnegie Hall with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Nexus has given more than eighty performances of this magical work. From Los Angeles to Chicago, to Philadelphia, London, Hamburg, Lyon, and Tokyo, audiences of …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
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.
“. . . a grand finale …
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 in North America and …
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 …
SOLO EDUCATION CONCERT EXAMPLES
Solo Educational Concerts
NEXUS educational concerts for young people are normally one-hour programs narrated by members of NEXUS with demonstrations of percussion instruments. Recent concerts have been entitled, “People Places and Percussion,” (Carnegie Hall) and “Music for Drums & Things” (sponsored by Chicago Symphony - see below).
Sample Program - “Music For …
