Residencies
As a leading professional percussion ensemble, Third Coast Percussion is uniquely positioned to offer both interactive hands-on learning experiences for a wide range of students and community members, and concert experiences of the highest caliber for all audiences.
College Residencies
Third Coast Percussion offers residencies designed to engage diverse learning communities with thoughtful, creative, and inspiring work. Percussion music offers the unique opportunity for non-performance-based music programs to actively participate in music-making at the forefront of contemporary thought. Many of the 20th and 21st century's greatest musical minds have been champions of percussion music, including Steve Reich, John Cage, and others. These great composers have made a tremendous impact on the greater arts community, and their percussion music offers an entry point for students of all skill levels.
Third Coast Percussion also offers masterclasses and coachings for percussionists and all performing musicians. The ensemble has presented dozens of masterclasses at conservatories, universities and colleges across the country. Members of Third Coast Percussion have served on the faculties of the Peabody Conservatory, Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Merit School of Music (Chicago).
Community Engagement
Third Coast Percussion's earliest performances grew out of its members' mutual commitment to community outreach and arts education. The ensemble has brought educational performances to a wide range of audiences and neighborhoods throughout Chicago thanks to partnerships with Urban Gateways, the Chicago Youth Symphony, the University of Chicago Presents CONNECT program, and the MusiCorps program of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
In the winter of 2012, Third Coast Percussion is embarking on its most ambitious community engagement effort to date through a joint partnership with the Chicago Park District and Rush Hour Concerts. TCP will partner with the all-ages Davis Square Community Band in the South Side “Back of the Yards” neighborhood. A series of residency activities will culminate in a joint performance by TCP and the Davis Square Community Band of a new work written by TCP members on the Make Music Chicago festival, hosted by Rush Hour Concerts.