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Ensemble

 

Ethos Percussion Group is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999 by percussionists Yousif Sheronick, Eric Phinney, and Michael Lipsey. The group is based in New York City and is known for its innovative and eclectic approach to percussion music. The founding members of Ethos Percussion Group all had extensive experience in the world of percussion music before coming together to form the ensemble. Yousif Sheronick had studied percussion at the Manhattan School of Music and had performed with a variety of ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. Eric Phinney had studied percussion at the University of Massachusetts and had performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Michael Lipsey had studied percussion at the Juilliard School and had performed with the New York Philharmonic and the American Symphony Orchestra. The three musicians came together with the goal of creating a percussion ensemble that would explore the full range of percussion instruments and styles. They were interested in combining traditional percussion music from around the world with contemporary classical music and jazz. They also wanted to incorporate elements of theater and dance into their performances. The early years of Ethos Percussion Group were focused on building a repertoire of music and developing their unique style. They performed at a variety of venues in New York City, including the Knitting Factory and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. They also began to collaborate with other musicians and artists, including the composer John Cage and the choreographer Mark Morris. One of the highlights of Ethos Percussion Group's early career was their performance at the Bang on a Can Marathon in 2001. This annual music festival in New York City features a wide range of contemporary classical music and experimental music. Ethos Percussion Group's performance at the festival was well-received and helped to raise their profile in the music world. In 2002, Ethos Percussion Group released their debut album, "Anatomy of a Drum Circle." The album featured a mix of traditional percussion music from around the world and original compositions by the members of the ensemble. The album received positive reviews and helped to establish Ethos Percussion Group as a leading ensemble in the world of percussion music. Over the years, Ethos Percussion Group has continued to perform at a variety of venues and festivals around the world. They have collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists, including the composer Steve Reich and the choreographer Bill T. Jones. They have also commissioned new works from a number of composers, including John Luther Adams and Julia Wolfe. One of the most notable performances in Ethos Percussion Group's career was their appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They were invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which was watched by millions of people around the world. Their performance featured a mix of traditional Chinese percussion music and contemporary classical music, and was widely praised for its creativity and energy. In addition to their performances, Ethos Percussion Group has also received a number of awards and honors over the years. They were awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2003, which helped to fund their performances and recordings.

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