Third Coast Percussion headlines Sounds of New Music Festival at North Central College

Third Coast Percussion headlines the third annual Sounds of New Music Festival April 6 at North Central College.

Third Coast Percussion performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6, in North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $15; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/ticket-information.

The quartet explores and expands the extraordinary sonic possibilities of the percussion repertoire, delivering vibrant performances. Since its formation in 2005, Third Coast Percussion has gained national attention with concerts and recordings that meld the energy of rock music with the precision and nuance of classical chamber works. Works include pieces by John Cage, Steve Reich and Augusta Read Thomas.

Thomas will speak during intermission about her piece, “Resounding Earth,” which features hundreds of bells and metal percussion instruments gathered from all over the world. Thomas is a Grammy Award-winning composer and professor of music at the University of Chicago and former Mead composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s Sounds of New Music Festival includes two performances of “Explore the Sound V,” a theatrically lit and staged concert featuring North Central College choral and instrumental ensembles and faculty artists, at 7:30 p.m. April 10 and 12 in the College’s Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $7/adults and $3/students and senior citizens.

The College’s Sounds of New Music Festival is coordinated by Jonathon Kirk, assistant professor of music, and offers opportunities for music students to learn from noted performers and composers in master-class settings. North Central College’s Fine Arts Center offers students exceptional facilities for instruction, practice and performance. The College offers undergraduate programs of study in music, jazz studies and music education in choral and instrumental. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/majors/music to learn more.

North Central College’s Sounds of New Music Festival is sponsored by The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc., Turner Construction, and Drs. Anne and Dennis (’57) Wentz.

Navistar is underwriting sponsor of North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season. The season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and National Endowment for the Arts.