So Percussion

So Percussion

So Percussion is a percussion group that forms in 1999 and is based in New Haven, United States. It is active as an ensemble associated with experimental, ambient, minimalist and neoclassical music, and it appears as a percussion quartet in its core presentation.

Line-up and origins

The group includes Adam Sliwinski, Josh Quillen, Eric Cha-Beach, Jason Treuting, Douglas Perkins and Lawson White. It forms while the members are students of Robert van Sice at the Yale School of Music. The ensemble also has a New York City base in its working life.

Repertoire and collaborations

So Percussion records and tours internationally and performs works by a wide range of composers. Its collaborators include Steve Reich, David Lang, Paul Lansky, Martin Bresnick, Steve Mackey, Fred Frith, Evan Ziporyn and Arvo Pärt. It also continues to perform standard percussion ensemble repertoire, including music by John Cage and Iannis Xenakis.

Original projects and performance practice

Alongside performing existing repertoire, the group develops original music. Its first such project is Amid the Noise, a CD/DVD release that includes video art by Jenise Treuting. The ensemble is also noted for using unusual and exotic instruments in performance and on recordings.

Other partnerships

So Percussion works with a range of other musicians and groups, including Matmos, Kneebody, The Dirty Projectors, Trollstilt and Dan Trueman.