The 2022 edition of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) will begin on November 9 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. On November 11, Ju Percussion Group, an internationally acclaimed music group and Taiwan’s first percussion ensemble, will be performing during the PASIC evening concert series. Its performance will feature five compositions, including “BeyonD the bEnd,” “Seek,” “Solar Myth,” “Attraction 2,” and “Tsá-Tshi,” showcasing the group’s unique approach to “blending tradition and modern, balancing East and West.”
Since 1976, world-class musicians have been performing during the annual PASIC. In addition, the PASIC showcases the latest performances from the percussion industry at its International Drum and Percussion Expo. Over the years, the PASIC has continued to be one of the most popular occasions for the percussion family to come together in order to converse, perform, inspire, and learn from one another.
Founded by the renowned percussionist Ju Tzong-Ching (朱宗慶) in 1986, the Ju Percussion Group has become well-known around the world for its innovative mix of cultures and styles. The members play Western percussion instruments as well as different forms of traditional Asian music.
Through more than 3,000 domestic and international performances, Ju Percussion Group has greatly expanded Taiwan’s musical presence on the international stage. To date, the group has played in 34 different countries around the world and taught more than 130,000 percussion learners through its instruction system. Moreover, the group has been commissioned to create 242 pieces so far.
To know more about the Ju Percussion Group: https://pasic.org/project/ju-percussion-group/.
BeyonD the bEnd
Composed by Gene Koshinski
BeyonD the bEnd is score for percussion soloists within a percussion ensemble (five players total). In the opening, the ensemble sings in unison with lines that simultaneously present both the thematic concept and the poetic reference that the piece hinges on. Musically, the piece is tied to a three-note motive of Bb, Db, and Eb (the letters highlighted in the title) that can be heard throughout, initially appearing in the opening lines and used by the ensemble for the duration of the piece.
Seek
Composed by Huanwei Lu
This is a six-mallet marimba composition with a three-percussion accompaniment. The composition is divided into five sections: “Chase,” “Exploration,” “Indecision,” “Loneliness,” and “Commitment,” in an attempt to present the process and emotions along the road to perfection.
Solar Myth
Composed by Chiung-Ying Chang
This piece was inspired by a legend shared by several indigenous tribes of Taiwan. It is said that in ancient times there were many suns in the sky and the people were suffering. The tribesmen were so desperate that they decided to shoot down the extra suns.
The work is for six mallets and three percussionists, which allows it to express the multi-tonal quality of competitive playing. A great sense of theatrical tension is felt throughout the piece.
Attraction 2
Composed by Emmanuel Séjourné
Just as man cannot escape earthly attraction, the composer, too, does not escape his old demons, culture, and taste. In this case, it is the composer’s penchant for rhythm, groove, and a certain collective virtuosity in the image of “Shakti,” the mythical group that marked his youth. The performance is composed of a violin, a guitar, and two percussions.
Tsá-Tshi
Composed by Han-Yen Kao
The inspiration for this piece is that of a bustling outdoor market (Tsá-Tshi), one full of life and community. The entire piece is therefore presented in a whimsical manner, including a nimble and agile performance style, similar to that of a dotted collage.