From the clanging of iron to the cadence of the human voice, rhythm is the oldest language on earth. Join the 20-member UCLA Percussion Ensemble for an electrifying journey through sound and space, where world-class percussion music pushes the boundaries of rhythm, melody, and kinetic energy.
Bridging centuries and styles, feel the raw, driving pulse of industrial urbanity in Rick Dior’s Heavy Metals and John Paul Chapman’s towering High Rise. Transcend boundaries with the cosmic and grounding landscapes of Pius Cheung’s Between Heaven and Earth Suite, paired with the timeless, witty vocal gymnastics of Ernst Toch’s pioneering Geographical Fugue. Listen as the ensemble unleashes the fierce, ritualistic drumming of Christopher Rouse’s masterpiece Ogoun Badagris. Finally, the concert explodes into pure joy and celebration with two percussion-driven re-imaginings of Dave Brubeck’s jazz standard Blue Rondo a la Turca and the infectious, groove-heavy energy of Earth, Wind & Fire’s September.
We invite you to join us for an electric performance where every surface becomes an instrument and every beat tells a story!