Ethos Percussion Group gives Impromptu Concert performance at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Feb. 12

The unique and inspired Ethos Percussion Group will visit Key West for an Impromptu Concert performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 401 Duval St.
Ethos has inspired audiences throughout the country since 1989 with its exceptional music-making and collective devotion to the world of percussion music. Ensemble members Trey Files, Michael Lipsey, Eric Phinney and Yousif Sheronick are individually accomplished artists, equally at home with contemporary classical repertoire or in collaborations with master musicians from non-Western traditions. Ethos’ unique performances bring global instruments and playing styles into Western chamber music to create a visually and aurally compelling experience.
Trey Files has performed and/or recorded with a variety of ensembles, including Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, New Music Consort, and the Michael Gordon Band. His extensive work in theater includes Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” and “American Idol,” as well as the groundbreaking off-Broadway show “De La Guardia.”
Michael Lipsey has performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia with artists such as Talujon Percussion, Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, Steve Reich, Bang on a Can, Tan Dun, New York New Music Ensemble and Riverside Symphony.
Eric Phinney has performed with the Berkshire Opera Orchestra, St. Cecilia Orchestra, New World Symphony, New Music Consort, Pulse Percussion Ensemble, and Music from China, appearing at music festivals in Moscow, Tokyo and Osaka.
Hailed by the New York Times for his “dazzling improvisations,” Yousif Sheronick appears internationally as soloist and chamber musician with groups and artists such as Philip Glass, Glen Velez, Foday Musa Suso, Simon Shaheen, Henry Threadgill, Lark Chamber Artists, duoJalal, and Paul Winter Consort. Distinguished collaborators include Yo-Yo Ma, and Branford Marsalis.
All members of the group have enjoyed extensive recording careers.
They’ve performed 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, the Krannert Center, the Library of Congress, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
In addition to presenting clinics and master classes at institutions such as The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, University of Illinois, 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 currently ensemble-in-residence at Lehman College, in the Bronx, in New York City.
At its Key West concert, Ethos will perform “The Guiros Talk,” by Dafnis Prieto; “West Naima” (“Naima’s Hip,”) by Hossam Ramzy (arranged by Yousif Sheronick;) “These Trees That Speak,” by Susie Ibarra; “Gandrung,” by Bill Alves; “Duo 77,” by Yousif Sheronick; “Ziggurat” (Interrior,) by John Hollenbeck; “Apple Blossom,” by Peter Garland; and “Drumming, Part I,” by Steve Reich.
In addition, at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, Ethos Percussion Group will be presenting an Outreach Program in the band room at Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave. This program will consist of demonstrations of the more exotic percussion instruments the group plays, along with a question-and-answer period. This program is free and open to the entire community, and is made possible by a grant from the Emily Boyd Lowe Music Fund.
For more information, call 305-296-1520, or visit www.keywestimpromptu.org
Tickets for the concert cost $20, and are available at www.keystix.com, or at the door on the afternoon of the event. Cash, checks, or credit/debit cards accepted. Students admitted free. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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