The Grammy-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion, a leading performer of percussion and contemporary chamber music, will present a guest artist recital at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in Wortham Theatre at Alice Pratt Brown Hall. The event is free and open to the public with general admission seating.
Praised as “exhilarating” by The New York Times and for its “supreme virtuosity, grit and groove” by Seen and Heard International, Sandbox Percussion has captivated audiences worldwide with its visually and aurally stunning performances. Known for its innovative approach to contemporary chamber music, the ensemble has expanded the breadth of the percussion form through its dedication to commissioning and performing original works. In 2024, Sandbox Percussion became the first percussion ensemble to be awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.
“We are delighted to welcome Sandbox Percussion to campus for a three-day residency, continuing our annual tradition of inviting the nation’s leading contemporary ensembles to collaborate with our composition students,” said Pierre Jalbert, chair and professor of composition and theory. “The opportunity to have their pieces workshopped and recorded by a world-renowned ensemble is invaluable for our students, and I’m looking forward to hearing the group’s insightful feedback.”
As part of the residency, Sandbox Percussion will also host a master class with select percussion students and speak at a composition seminar to give as many students as possible the opportunity to learn from the group.
More about Sandbox Percussion
Formed in 2011 by a shared passion for chamber music, Sandbox Percussion has become a leading voice in contemporary music. The group has been described as “utterly mesmerizing” by The Guardian. This season, Sandbox Percussion and the Tyshawn Sorey Trio collaborated on a special Max Roach tribute with live performances that included the 92nd Street Y and the Library of Congress. Sandbox Percussion recently recorded percussion music for its first feature film “The Wild Robot” (DreamWorks, 2024), an animated science fiction survival film with music by Kris Bowers. Released in theaters in the United States on Sept.27, 2024, "The Wild Robot" was nominated for three Oscars in the Music (original score), Sound and Animated Feature Film categories. A new album celebrating the group’s long-standing collaboration with composer Christopher Cerrone will be released in February on Pentatone Records, including the piece “Ode To Joy,” co-commissioned by the group in 2023. The 2021 album “Seven Pillars” earned two Grammy nominations — Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance and Best Contemporary Classical Composition — and has been performed at renowned venues, including the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Recent performances of “Seven Pillars” during the 2023-24 season included stops at the VIVO Music Festival, the Frost School of Music and the Peace Center among others.
For more information about Sandbox Percussion’s guest artist recital at the Shepherd School, click here.