© Peter Serling 2005

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For more than fifteen years, Ethos Percussion Group has inspired audiences throughout the country with its exceptional music-making and collective devotion to the incredibly diverse world of percussion music. Ensemble members Trey Files, Eric Phinney, Yousif Sheronick and David Shively are accomplished classical and world music artists, each with a distinctive background and musical perspective. Their substantial combined expertise is the source of Ethos’ innovative programming, which integrates global instruments and playing styles into the conventions of Western chamber music to create a visually and aurally compelling experience. The ensemble’s critically acclaimed performances regularly feature numerous commissions and world premieres. Their concerts include traditional rhythms from India, West Africa and the Middle East, and landmark works by composers such as John Cage, Lou Harrison and Steve Reich.

Since its founding in 1989 by Michael Sgouros, Ethos has remained committed to advancing the percussive arts in education as well as performance. In addition to presenting clinics and master classes at institutions such as The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music and Berklee College of Music, Ethos has worked with thousands of students in New York City's public schools through concert and classroom activities. Ethos is an ensemble-in-residence at La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts, and in 2004 the group formed a satellite organization dedicated exclusively to arts education known as World Beat.

Recent seasons have included concerts across the United States and the United Kingdom, with major engagements at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater, the Bermuda Festival, London's Wigmore Hall and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Recent collaborations include the Kansas City Symphony, Grammy-winning frame drummer Glen Velez and Indian tabla master Pandit Samir Chatterjee. Ethos is the recipient of a continuing grant from the Jerome Foundation which has funded fifteen commissions for the ensemble. The premieres of these works have been a significant element of the group’s ongoing concert series dedicated to percussion chamber music, which was established in New York City in 1999. In April 2000, National Public Radio's Morning Edition covered the world premiere of Michael Daugherty's Used Car Salesman, which was commissioned for Ethos by Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa.

Individually, the members of Ethos have performed with Philip Glass, Branford Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, New World Symphony, New Music Consort, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Sospeso, New York City Ballet, De La Guarda and Mabou Mines. They can be heard on a variety of recordings released by CRI, Opus One, Koch International and Decca. Ethos Percussion Group is a member ensemble of Chamber Music America and a sustaining member of the Percussive Arts Society. The ensemble gratefully endorses products from Cooperman Drums, Innovative Mallets, Latin Percussion, Grover Pro Percussion and Yamaha.

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Touring Programs 2008-2009-2010

Explorers and Heroes

With this diverse and compelling program, Ethos Percussion Group presents landmark works by John Cage, Lou Harrison, Steve Reich and Frank Zappa.  Each of these iconic composers featured (and challenged) percussionists in new and innovative ways: Cage, Harrison and Reich added uniquely American dialects to their Asian and African influences, while Zappa brought rock and roll instrumentation and a healthy dose of humor to the rhythmic and tonal complexity associated with the European avant garde.  Together, their percussive textures and individual sensibilities indelibly shaped the sound of 20^th and 21st century American music. With a battery of instruments, including the “found objects” written for by Harrison and Cage, Ethos breathes fresh life into these groundbreaking chamber works.

Classic repertoire from the 1940’s and 1970’s will be juxtaposed with new arrangements created especially for these events.  The performances will also include recent Ethos Percussion Group commissions from young composers carrying on the tradition established by these “fathers of invention” into the 21st century.

Missa Luba

An extraordinary collaboration featuring the ETHOS PERCUSSION GROUP and guest choir...

The Missa Luba is a Mass in Congolese (Zairean) style for a mixed chorus with tenor soloist and percussion, arranged by Guido Haazen and the African singers with whom he worked.  African music differs infinitely from our Western rhythmic feeling.  The drums, especially the tom-toms which are used as an integral part of the music, always adhere to a very strict, inexorable rhythmic beat.  This basic rhythm serves as a canvas on which the other instruments base their improvisations, and usually open the song.  The music of the Missa Luba is mainly the product of collective improvisation and the characteristic performance style known as call and response. Missa Luba generally closes an Ethos Percussion Group performance. It can be prepared in one rehearsal with the members of the ensemble although the choir must be prepared in advance.

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Commissions

Ethos' dedication to the expansion of percussion chamber music repertoire has resulted in commissions representing a wide variety of styles and traditions, written by both well-known and emerging composers. Recent commissioned works include:

Used Car Salesman*, by Michael Daugherty
Premiered April, 2000, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City, Iowa
New York premiere May, 2000, Carnegie Hall
(to be featured on Ethos' upcoming recording)

Rite Rhythm**, by Pandit Samir Chatterjee
Premiered May 2000, Washington Square Church, New York City
(to be featured on Ethos' upcoming recording)  

Kong/Wu**, by Wang Goweh
Premiered March 2000, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City  

In Pairs**, by Tamar Muskal
Premiered March 2000, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City
(to be featured on un upcoming recording of Ms. Muskalís works)  

Man Follows the Earth**, by Jacqueline Jeeyoung Kim
Premiered May 1999, Merkin Concert Hall, New York City

Sol Tunnels**, by Glen Velez
Premiered May 1999, Merkin Concert Hall, New York City
(to be featured on Ethos' upcoming recording)  

The Persistence of Past Chemistries**, by Charles Griffin
Premiered January 1999, Saint Paul, Minnesota
(included as the title track on Ethos' latest recording, released September 1999)

* commissioned for Ethos by Hancher Auditorium/ University of Iowa

** commissioned by the Ethos Emerging Composer Commissioning Fund, which is made possible by a grant from the Jerome Foundation

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Residency

Introduction

Since Ethos’ inception in 1989, educational outreach has been a vital element of the ensemble’s efforts to advance the percussive arts.  In addition to presenting clinics and master classes at institutions such as The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music and Berklee College of Music, Ethos has shared its collective expertise and love of music with literally tens of thousands of students and community members through an array of outreach programs appropriate for a wide variety of ages and settings.

The following activity descriptions broadly outline the four types of residency services offered by Ethos.  The ensemble and the programs are remarkably flexible, and the group is always willing to do everything it can to accommodate the unique needs of each outreach event.  However, please note that the recommended parameters given for each activity are based on experience gained through hundreds of successful presentations over fifteen years.

Activities

Clinic/Master Class

Ethos clinics cover topics such as playing techniques and music theory of various global percussion traditions, ensemble rehearsal strategies and analysis of major percussion repertoire.  Students participating in master classes are welcome to play any solo percussion or ensemble work.  Please clearly specify whether a clinic or master class is desired.

School Assembly Performance

Ethos will introduce the audience to instruments, rhythms and compositions from cultures such as India, Brazil, West Africa and the Middle East.  The presentation almost always features an audience-participation element and is easily tailored to students of any age.

Drum Circle

Little or no playing experience is needed for participants in this popular communal activity.  Ethos will lead the circle in a variety of exercises designed to develop ensemble skills and, most importantly, groove.  This is a ‘hands-on’ experience with very little talking, and everyone present is strongly encouraged to participate.

Classroom Activity

Classroom sessions involve topics such as music and storytelling, instruments and cultures from around the world and fundamentals of music.  With adequate prior notice, Ethos can adjust the presentation to complement a subject or theme from the class or school curriculum.

Important Notes

The repertoire for performances and master classes will be drawn from the group’s current touring and outreach programs and will reflect Ethos’ interest in world and classical percussion traditions.

All four members of Ethos will participate in most outreach service.  With the consent of the presenting organization, drum circles and classroom visits are often led by only two Ethos members without any compromise in the quality of the service.

Unless prior arrangements have been made, Ethos will expect any instruments the presenter has agreed to provide to be available for all services.  If services occur in different venues, the presenter is responsible for moving any instruments which are needed.

If Ethos is providing all of the instruments, all services should take place in the same venue.

When planning any activity which may be of interest to local percussionists, please contact your state chapter president of the Percussive Arts Society.  These individuals are committed to promoting percussion-related activities, and they may be very helpful in passing on information to the area’s drumming community.  Contact information for each state is available through the PAS website: http://www.pas.org/chapters.

Click Here to download Ethos Percussion Group Study Guide

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Discography

Sol Tunnels
Bribie Recordings, 2002

The Persistence of Past Chemistries
Produced by Ethos, 1999

Bizet-Schedrin Carmen Ballet & Liszt-Spalding Hungarian Fantasy
Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Connoisseur Society, 1997

Ethos Percussion Group
Produced by Ethos, 1996

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Technical Information

*FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY*
Please contact Baylin Artists Management for additional technical information.

1. Presenting Organization must provide at least four able-bodied crewmembers for load-in & 1 crew to assist during performance (should dress in black).

2. Presenting Organization must provide at least four able-bodied crewmembers for load-out that will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the performance. 

3. All venues must be accessible for loading and unloading large instruments - ramps, freight elevators - if load-in area has an elevator, dimensions must be at least 9 1/2 Feet Wide OR Long enough to accommodate large instruments.

4. Load-in should be scheduled for 6 hours prior to performance (evening before
   for matinee.) Sound Check/Technical Rehearsal of no more than 2 hours in
   length should take place 4 hours prior to performance. All performance
   running personnel must be present.

5. Presenting Organization must provide area for one 15-foot truck and one car at performance site, and safe overnight parking for truck if requested.

For All Venues:

20x30 stage

20 sturdy music stands

4 identical chairs without arms (folding chairs acceptable)

1 standing microphone with on/off switch

house sound

extension cord and power for 1 amplifier (amp. supplied by ensemble)

1 vocal and 2 Drum microphones and 1 monitor

Additional Tech. for Outdoor Venues:

10 high quality microphones on booms

2 monitors (on stage)

Schedule for day of performance:

Crew Call & Load-in:  6 hours prior to performance.

Sound Check & Rehearsal:  4 1/2 hours prior to performance.

Rehearsal Completed:  1 1/2 hours prior to performance.

Load-out takes approximately 2 hours.

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