Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings presents an evening of idiophones, xylophones and mallets
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (February 3, 2022) — Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings presents a rhythmic evening of idiophones, xylophones and mallets with its upcoming Nightnotes concert “Pulse. Beat. Rhythm.” The concert takes place February 18, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Hagopian World of Rugs in Birmingham.
“Pulse. Beat. Rhythm” is curated and led by Detroit Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussion Joseph Becker. The program consists of modern repertoire for percussion and will focus on duets and trios across a variety of instruments and styles. Composers range from Steve Reich to a piece written during the pandemic by Joseph Pereira.
Becker will be joined by fellow percussionists Andres Pichardo-Rosenthal, Andre Dowell, and Xavier Verna.
Becker was appointed principal percussion of the Detroit Symphony in 2012. Prior to his time in Michigan, he was a member of the Jacksonville Symphony. He completed his bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Frank Epstein and Will Hudgins; as well as his master’s degree from Boston University, studying with Tim Genis.
Pichardo-Rosenthal is a fellow DSO percussionist who has performed with orchestras around the country, such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New World Symphony and the Hawaii Symphony.
In addition to being a percussionist, Dowell currently serves as chief of artist engagement for the Sphinx Organization, the nation’s leading arts organization. He oversees the Artist Development and Performing Artists programs to support emerging talent and curates performance opportunities around the country.
Verna is executive director for the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and former Sphinx director of education. He launched the annual conference on diversity in the arts SphinxConnect.
“Pulse. Beat. Rhythm.” was originally scheduled for April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost two years later, the concert is presented as part of the DCWS Nightnotes series. Nightnotes is a series designed to provide concertgoers an intimate chamber music experience, bringing local musicians and audiences together at Hagopian World of Rugs for evenings of carefully curated repertoire.
This season, DCWS is celebrating its 40-year anniversary. On March 6, the organization presents its “Opus 1” concert. Recreating the first ever DCWS concert in 1982, musicians will perform the original repertoire under the baton of conductor H. Robert Reynolds, who conducted the first concert. The performance will be followed by the “Rewind Reception” where the original DCWS leaders will be honored.
Tickets to “Pulse. Beat. Rhythm” are $30 for general admission and $25 for seniors. They can purchased at https://detroitchamberwinds.org/performance/pulse-beat-rhythm/ or by calling 248-559-2095 Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Information about the rest of our season can be found at: https://detroitchamberwinds.org/performances/
Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings is an ensemble committed to bringing to life the body of repertoire that utilizes between six and 20 musicians. DCWS musicians are drawn primarily from the Detroit Symphony and Michigan Opera Theatre orchestras. Now in its 40th year, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings presents three distinct concert series. More information at detroitchamberwinds.org.