The 2023 edition of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), one of the largest drum and percussion events in the world, will take place from November 8 to 11 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Taiwanese musical act Twincussion has been invited to perform a Daytime Showcase Concert as part of PASIC’s concert series on the afternoon of November 11.
Twincussion was formed by Taiwanese twin brothers Jen-Ting and Jen-Yu Chien. With their unique music partnership having begun over 20 years ago at the age of six, the twins present a new face in the field of percussion. The dynamic duo’s diverse repertoires range from transcriptions of classical showpieces to contemporary music. The duo connects music from East Asia to the West and has commissioned original percussion compositions from Taiwanese folksongs to electronic music.
Twincussion has won multiple international music competitions in Europe and North America. Their first international debut was at the 2014 Southern California International Marimba Competition where they were awarded Grand Honorable Mention, coming in second place. In 2016, they travelled to Europe and won first place in the ensemble category at the International Percussion Competition in Italy. They also were awarded first place at the 2018 New York Golden Classical Music Awards, Chamber Music Category, and made their NYC debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.
In the spring of 2023, the group was selected as the Artist of Center Stage Season 6, presented by the U.S. Department of State. During their month-long tour, they performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and traveled to Washington State for concerts, masterclasses and workshops. More recently, they collaborated with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra to give a world premiere of a new double concerto “Flamboyer” by Denmark-based Taiwanese composer Li-Ying Wu. In addition, the duo won the “Best Arrangement” award at Taiwan’s prestigious 34th Golden Melody Award for Traditional Arts and Music with the folk song “Cloudy Sky” from the duo’s debut album.
Having performed at PASIC in 2018, this marks the second time for Twincussion to feature at the convention. Its concert this time will feature seven compositions, including refreshing arrangements of Taiwanese folk songs “Cloudy Sky (天黑黑)” and “Longing for the Spring Breeze(望春風).”
For more information, please visit the PASIC 2023 website.