Percussion Ensemble: 50/50

50/50 serves as the semester finale for the percussion ensemble, dividing the rhythmic world into two distinct sonic landscapes. The first half explores the raw, experimental power of the ensemble, featuring Alexandre Babel’s Choeur Mixte—a monumental work for 15 snare drums that transforms a familiar instrument into a complex wall of sound—alongside the world premiere of Trailer Soundz by student composer-in-residence James Hamilton Lowrie.

The evening then shifts into a "marimba party," celebrating the melodic brilliance of the instrument through the lens of two iconic Japanese masters, Minoru Miki and Keiko Abe. This second half pairs the ensemble’s virtuosic energy with the lush, resonant textures of the marimba to bring the semester to a vibrant close.

U of T Percussion Ensemble: 50/50 

Aiyun Huang, director

PROGRAM

Choeur Mixte

Alexandre Babel (b. 1980)

Amiel Ang, Jon Bilek, Thomas Carli, Randall Chaves, Jade Hails, Madison Keats, Thomas Li, Arthur Lo, Yi-Hsuan Lo, Matthew Medina, Bevis Ng, Chieh-Hsun Wang, Chi-En Wong, Jerry Yuan, Jeffrey Zhu

Trailer Soundz

James Hamilton Lowie (b. 1990)

Amiel Ang, Reuben Faigao, Jade Hails, Yi-Hsuan Lo, Bevis Ng, Chi-En Wong; percussion James Hamilton Lowie, electronics Aiyun Huang, conductor

Intermission

Marimba Spiritual

Minoru Miki (1930-2011)

Madison Keats, Jerry Yuan; marimba Thomas Carli, Arthur Lo, Jeffrey Zhu; percussion

The Wave

Keiko Abe (b. 1937)

Amiel Ang, Chieh-Hsun Wang; marimba Jon Bilek, Yi-Hsuan Lo, Matthew Medina, Jack Wong; percussion