Sadie Groner

Interim Managing Editor

This post was originally published on November 12.

On Nov. 11, Behrend’s Music at Noon Series featured Grammy-winning quartet, Third Coast Percussion (TCP). The Chicago-based group returned to campus for their third performance and were enthusiastically welcomed by a teeming audience. Over their hour-long performance, Third Coast Percussion further proved their status as one of the most acclaimed, creative, and inspiring groups Behrend has had the pleasure of hosting.

Performers David Skidmore, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin, and Sean Connors excitedly celebrate the 20-year anniversary of TCP with further tours across the United States and Canada. Having already performed in 41 states and across four continents, Third Coast has cemented its image as a collective of ceaselessly passionate percussionists. Best-known for their versatility and ingenuity, Monday’s concert was a wonderful showcase of the group’s abilities. It shocked, excited, and intrigued.  

Monday’s program consisted of eight pieces, primarily featuring contemporary works. There was a notable emphasis on supporting the work of new and local, to Chicago, artists. My favorite of these was Study No. 1 by Jessie Montgomery. A fantastic display of experimental music, Study No. 1 blended the sounds of seemingly independent and unrelated instruments, into one blooming melody.

A common theme among the pieces played was TCP’s constant switching of instruments. Within one song, a player might switch between half a dozen instruments with relative ease and break-neck speed. Not only was their ability to familiarize themselves with so many different devices impressive, but the coordination necessary to remain one cohesive body despite the constant chaos was astounding.

The final song of the program was David Skidmore’s own Ritual Music. Written and performed early in the Third Coast Percussion’s career, it proved a fitting conclusion for the afternoon’s concert. Once again, flaunting their versatility and teamwork, the piece was performed stunningly. Several switches were made between instruments and members even joined each other on the same one.