Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

The New Jersey Percussion Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that has been active since 1968. The ensemble was founded by a group of percussionists who were interested in exploring the possibilities of percussion music and expanding the repertoire for percussion instruments. The founding members of the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble were Raymond DesRoches, Alan Abel, and Fred Hinger. DesRoches was a professor of percussion at Rutgers University, where the ensemble was based, and Abel and Hinger were both professional percussionists who had performed with major orchestras and ensembles. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and virtuosic performances, which featured a wide range of percussion instruments and techniques. The ensemble's repertoire included both classical and contemporary music, and the members of the ensemble often commissioned new works from composers. One of the highlights of the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble's early career was a performance at the 1971 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, where they premiered a new work by composer John Cage. The performance was a critical and popular success, and helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading percussion ensembles in the world. Over the years, the membership of the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble has changed, but the ensemble has continued to maintain its high standards of performance and innovation. Some of the notable members of the ensemble over the years have included Garry Kvistad, who went on to found the percussion ensemble NEXUS, and She-e Wu, who is now a professor of percussion at Northwestern University. The New Jersey Percussion Ensemble has performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Edinburgh Festival. The ensemble has also recorded numerous albums, including several that have been nominated for Grammy Awards. One of the most notable performances in the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble's history was a 1983 concert at Carnegie Hall, which featured the premiere of a new work by composer Steve Reich. The piece, called "Sextet," was a major success, and helped to establish Reich as one of the leading composers of contemporary classical music. In addition to its performances and recordings, the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors over the years. The ensemble has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and has been named a "Champion of New Music" by the American Composers Forum. Overall, the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble has had a major impact on the world of classical music, particularly in the area of percussion music. The ensemble's innovative and virtuosic performances have inspired countless other musicians and ensembles, and its commitment to commissioning and performing new works has helped to expand the repertoire for percussion instruments.

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