So Percussion, an up-and-coming ensemble, will bring its unique musical talents to the University of Denver Oct. 28. Members Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, Jason Treuting and Lawson White will be in residence with the Lamont School of Music in the days leading up to the performance at the Newman Center’s Gates Concert Hall.
Part of the Newman Center Presents series, the 7:30 p.m. performance will be preceded by a free Behind the Curtain lecture at 6:30 p.m.
The performers created So Percussion to give fresh voice to what co-founder Jason Treuting calls “funky contemporary music.” So is a form of the Japanese verb meaning “to play.” Their CD Amid the Noise is an experimentation with glockenspiel, toy piano, vibraphones, marimbas, pipes and electronic sounds.
Billboard Magazine wrote, “The range of colors and voices that So Percussion coaxes from its menagerie is astonishing and entrancing.”
So Percussion has commissioned dozens of composers, including such notables as David Lang and Paul Lansky. The DU performance will celebrate the music and 70th birthday of composer Steve Reich. Lamont faculty and students will join the group on “Drumming,” which features four pairs of bongo drums, three marimbas, three glockenspiels, two voices, whistling and piccolo.
Tickets are $25–$45. Discounts are available for students, groups, seniors and DU faculty and staff. For information and tickets, contact the Newman Center box office in person or at 303-871-7720. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, 303-357-2787 or at any Ticketmaster outlet.
The Newman Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Paid parking is available in the Newman Center garage.