Denison University announces a new collaboration with Third Coast Percussion, a Grammy-winning, artist-run quartet of classically-trained percussionists. Denison’s artists-in-residence programs offers students enriching experiences, knowledge, and opportunities beyond the curriculum. Third Coast Percussion will join contemporary string quartet ETHEL as a Denison ensemble-in-residence.
Third Coast Percussion will be in residence for several days in December and February. The group already is scheduled to take part in music, psychology, and studio art classes. They also will perform at Denison during Granville’s annual candlelight walking tour.
“We are excited to have Third Coast Percussion join us on stages and in classrooms across the campus,” says Michael Morris, director of the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts, and the Vail Series. “Our students and faculty have a history of really connecting with our ensembles-in-residence. We’ve seen great exchanges through these relationships and we’re thrilled to be able to expand the program to include this talented group of people in the Denison circle.”
David Skidmore of Third Coast Percussion says, “We are so excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the bright and gifted students at Denison University. We were able to visit the university last spring, and immediately fell in love with the warmth and curiosity that permeate the campus. We have a ton of fun and enriching activities planned already for December, and more in the works for February.”
Ching-chu Hu, professor and chair of Denison’s music department, notes, “We are beyond thrilled that Third Coast Percussion is Denison’s newest ensemble-in-residence. From the moment they stepped onto Denison’s campus to the resonance of the last note they played during their concert, Third Coast Percussion embraced Denison’s liberal arts mission, with outreach across disciplines and into the community.”
Hu adds, “Their programming is exciting, their artistry is thrilling, and their enthusiasm is contagious. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with such amazing artists, and look forward to the new ideas to be shared with our students and faculty.”
Third Coast Percussion is an exciting and energetic group that celebrates the extraordinary depth and breadth of musical possibilities in the world of percussion. The ensemble has been praised for “commandingly elegant” (New York Times) performances, the “rare power” (Washington Post) of their recordings, and “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity” (Minnesota Star-Tribune).