My residency at the Showa Academy of Music is now in its last few days. I am in the middle of my second week of private lessons, ensemble rehearsals and workshops. This week began when, on Monday during my daily power walk, I noticed that the traffic on the streets was very light…. Read more »
Kawasaki (and Asakusa) Japan – Sunday Jan. 11, 2009
It is Sunday night and I am writing this as I sit in front of the TV in my hotel room watching some great sumo-wrestling matches. Since my previous blog entry I have been able to take a leave from the school and my hotel room. Last night I visited my good friend Seichiro… Read more »
School Work
The holidays are over, school’s back in session, and Nexus is performing at the University of Toronto, so I’ve been thinking about the ensemble’s educational work. It’s no surprise that the first comments that came in on our new website were from students. NEXUS’ compositions are performed in schools all over the world, the “NEXUS… Read more »
Kawasaki, Japan – Friday January 9, 2009
After being spoiled by several days of very mild weather, it was raining here all day, though there was just enough letup for me to do a power walk around the upscale residential neighborhoods near the Showa Academy this morning. The homes are all very tidy and have well-cared-for gardens. All has gone… Read more »
The U of T Connection
In a couple of weeks NEXUS is performing at the University of Toronto. As “Ensemble in Residence”, NEXUS has had a long and fruitful relationship with the University, and a great many percussion students come to U of T specifically for the opportunity to study with NEXUS members. Russell Hartenberger is the Dean of the… Read more »
Kawasaki, Japan – Tuesday January 6, 2009
Greetings! I am back in Japan for a 2-week residency at the Showa Academy of Music and Arts in Kawasaki. This is my 6th such visit since 1998, and during my stay I will be working with about 25 college conservatory percussion students in private lessons, ensemble coaching, percussion workshops and a… Read more »
What is the meaning of “NEXUS”?
I am often asked the meaning of the word nexus. It is from a Latin root meaning “tie”, and basically indicates a connection or bond among the members of a group or series. Some of us came across this term in the early 1970s while reading Harry Partch’s book Genesis of a Music. Partch speaks… Read more »
IMPROV: The Art Of Surprise
NEXUS has a concert coming up that is taking them back to their “Improv” roots. Improvisation. It always has that “edge”. It’s unpredictable. Exciting. Unexpected. Sometimes improbable! We all know about history-making drum solos, guitar licks, jazz sessions, and even comedy sketches on shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” All based on improvisation. There… Read more »
Russell’s Rhythms
Russell Hartenberger‘s musicality as “so solid you can always hang your hat on it.” It’s fitting, then, that Russell offers a workshop called “Rhythm and Time in Music”. Useful to non-percussionists and percussionists alike, Russell takes a historical look at Western music rhythms, then explores non-Western cultures to compare them. Intriguingly, he says the workshop… Read more »
NEXUS plans new recording
NEXUS will be starting work on a new recording featuring the music of John Cage in late January of 2009. Keep an eye on our website for more information about this exciting new recording!
NYC – Friday December 19, 2008
Hello from New York City, where I am performing with the Paul Winter Consort at the 29th annual Winter Solstice Concerts in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The first performance occurred last night before a sold-out audience of over 3000. It was great to perform with fellow percussionists Jamey Haddad and Cafe. I… Read more »
Happy Holidays from NEXUS!
Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Great 2017! Click here for info on this amazing photo. You won’t believe when it was taken!
Choirs Can Join With NEXUS
It’s December and every shop surrounds us with heavenly voices. Concerts abound featuring beautiful choral music. It surprises people to hear that NEXUS has some very interesting choral material in their repertoire. Past concerts have seen NEXUS sharing the stage with the Amadeus Choir, the Elora Festival Singers, the MacMillan Singers, and the Toronto Children’s… Read more »
“Creative Music Making” – Book
Q. How did you come up with your book, Creative Music Making? A. As decribed in the book, Creative Music Making is a practical process to develop musicianship through freeform improvisation. The process is simply based on my experience in creating improvised music with NEXUS. The group’s first few years of concerts consisted entirely of… Read more »
Getting in Touch with Your Inner Musician
I want to tell you about Bill Cahn‘s workshop entitled “Creative Music-Making.” Bill has given it a subtitle – “Four Simple Steps to Cultivating the Inner Musician” – and it is designed for any age, professional and amateur alike, experienced or “never tried it”. Completely interactive, the workshop provides an opportunity to TRY THINGS –… Read more »
