BRATTLEBORO-The UMass Percussion Ensemble returns to the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) on Sunday, April 14, at 7 p.m.
Led by percussionist Ayano Kataoka, the Ensemble is made up of graduate and undergraduate percussion students at University of Massachusetts at Amherst. For their performance in Brattleboro, students Robert Grahmann, Philip Hanifin, Clara Montes, and Sejeong Pyo will perform original compositions and arrangements by J.S. Bach, Michael Burritt, John Cage, Jacob Druckman, and Igor Stravinsky.
"A contemporary art museum is a wonderful setting for a musical performance," BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld said in a news release. "The physical precision and grace of the percussionists, the often surprising compositions - it makes for an incredibly satisfying performance."
Kataoka, the Ensemble's director, is a percussionist and marimbist "known for her dynamic and elegant technique," organizers say. A leading proponent of contemporary composition, Kataoka has participated in several consortiums to commission works for solo marimba or chamber ensembles from such composers as Charles Wuorinen, Martin Bresnick, Paul Lansky, and Alejandro Viñao.
She was the first percussionist to be chosen for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Bowers Program (formerly Chamber Music Society Two), a high-profile residency for emerging artists. Kataoka is currently a professor at UMass-Amherst.
Tickets can be purchased in advance ($10 general admission, free for BMAC members) at brattleboromuseum.org or at the door (subject to availability), or by calling 802-257-0124, ext. 101.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.