Composer

A concert exploring the little-known world of percussion: rhythms, textures, and sound experimentation spanning contemporary music, arrangements of classic repertoire, and new technologies

Percussive Alchemy

Carlo Felice Theater

John Williams's score for Star Wars is universally known, especially the main title. However, not many are aware that this soundtrack has a model, indeed, that it would be almost unthinkable without it. John Williams drew heavily on it. It is Gustav Holst's suite " The Planets ," the most colossal space music of all time, which we supplement with original space images from NASA and ETA. In our program, it is evocatively paired with a symphony by the German-British contemporary of Haydn, William Herschel, who, in addition to being a hobby composer, was one of the most important astronomers of his time: in 1781, he discovered the planet Uranus , and in 1789, he constructed a telescope of previously unknown dimensions. The concert highlight between the symphonic planetariums: the sparkling percussion concerto by the American composer and multi-percussionist Andy Akiho. The soloist is Jacob Nissly, principal timpanist and percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. At the podium is fellow American Tito Munoz, chief conductor of the Phoenix Symphony.

Holsts Planets And Drum Concert

Meistersinger Hall

The most famous four notes in history launch a towering masterpiece for the ages in Beethoven’s legendary Fifth Symphony. Award-winning composer Andy Akiho is known for bold, immersive music that shatters preconceptions, and you do not want to miss the world premiere of his Timpani Concerto, written especially for Houston Symphony Principal Timpanist Leonardo Soto.

EPSG:4326

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony + Timpani World Premiere

Jones Hall

Subscription concert

Konzerthalle, Bad Salzuflen

Detmold University of Music

Stadthalle Gütersloh

Schützenhof city park

Minden City Theater

Paderhalle Paderborn

Experience the vibrant tapestry of American Landscapes and Stories, a concert celebrating the diversity and beauty of American culture. The evening begins with the world premiere of Andy Akiho’s latest work, inspired by the heroic story of Frances Marion, South Carolina’s Revolutionary War general. The program continues with Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s homage to the ancient native American story of how the animals risked their lives to bring the first fire to people . The second half features stunning video, providing a breathtaking visual backdrop to this celebration of American artistry. The program culminates with Grofé’s evocative Grand Canyon Suite, with images of one of our nation’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Don’t miss this unforgettable journey through sound and image!

Grand Canyon Suite + American Stories

Peace Center

Combining steel pan, winds, and spoken word, the “trailblazing” (Los Angeles Times) composer Andy Akiho ’11MM and the Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds join forces for BeLoud, BeLoved, BeLonging, a percussive work inspired by protest and resilience.

Andy Akiho, percussion, with Imani Winds

Yale University

The Imani Winds have led both a revolution and an evolution of the wind quintet through their dynamic playing, adventurous programming, imaginative collaborations, and engagement endeavors, which inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds. This collaboration features composer and percussionist Andy Akiho, a trailblazing Pulitzer Prize finalist and five-time Grammy-nominated composer whose bold works unravel intricate and unexpected patterns while surpassing preconceived boundaries of Western classical music.

Performance Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel drum The BeLonging Project

University of Michigan

Taking place outdoors at the Domo, the first part of this program celebrates dance – from Joseph Lanner, who took a simple peasant dance and transformed it to what is referred to as the Viennese waltz, to exuberant American rhythms of music by Andy Akiho and Guillaume Connesson. The program concludes with Aaron Copland's epic depiction of American open spaces and folk music, Appalachian Spring, which had its premiere in 1944.

Brandon Patrick George, flute; Yoonah Kim, clarinet; Monica Ellis, bassoon; Benjamin Beilman, Isabelle Ai Durrenberger, Lun Li, Melissa White, violins; Jordan Bak, Emma Wernig, violas; Jay Campbell, Bryan Cheng, cellos; Lizzie Burns, bass; Pedja Mužijević

The Domo

Colin Currie Recital

Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

2024 GRAMMY winner Imani Winds joins forces with Pulitzer Prize finalist Andy Akiho for an innovative program featuring works by D’Rivera, Villa-Lobos and Akiho. Hailed as “strikingly virtuosic, immaculately tight, [and] stylistically agile” (Boston Musical Intelligencer), Imani Winds brings exceptional artistry to this compelling collaboration.

Imani Winds & Andy Akiho, steel pan

Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center

Inspired by autobiographical accounts of the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens in World War II, Lost Freedom: A Memory weaves together music and spoken word in a profound exploration of a chilling time in American history. Actor, author, and activist, George Takei (Star Trek), narrates his own story as one of the citizens forced from their homes and made to live in desolate camps thousands of miles away. Set to music by Oregon composer Kenji Bunch, this poignant program will also include music by Oregon’s Japanese-American composer/percussionist Andy Akiho.

“Lost Freedom: A Memory” with George Takei

Sonic Spectrum IV

Samuel B. & David Rose Building

Aron Kallay presents two new commissions written in memory of friends and family. Marek Zebrowski’s Capriccio notturno was written in memory of Aron’s grandmother, Cecilia Viola Kallay. Daniel Allas’ Analysis of a Dream was written in memory of Piano Sphere’s very own Sarah Gibson. On the rest of the program, Aron is joined by friends to play music that explores birds, warped time, the infinite, the play of light and dark on canvas, and wickedness without consequence.`

Aron Kallay – Friends and Family

Colburn School

Expect the Unexpected: Step into adventure as the Symphony brings extraordinary, multisensory experiences to the underground club atmosphere of the SoundBox space.

Andy Akiho

Davies Symphony Hall

Patrick Bain performs a recital of works by J.S. Bach, Ted Atkatz, Andy Akiho and more.

Student Degree Recital: Patrick Bain M.M. percussion recital

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Andy Akiho is a Grammy nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist composer whose work redefines the classical music landscape. Akiho's compositions, celebrated for their intricate patterns and boundary-pushing theatricality, have captivated audiences worldwide, with commissions by leading orchestras like the New York Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Andy Akiho Trio

UCLA Nimoy Theater

The snare drum has its big appearance in this chamber concert program. Due to its resonant skin covered with wires, the snare drum is known in English as a snare drum and is a central percussion instrument in many musical genres, from marching music to jazz and rock music to classical music. With its bright sound, it creates clear accents in the orchestra and provides rhythmic definition in the percussion ensemble. Whether as a percussive addition in combination with clarinet, horn and violoncello, as a rhythmic motor in the percussion ensemble or as a soloist - the percussionists of the Munich Philharmonic demonstrate the diverse tonal nuances of the snare drum with this program compilation.

Small Drum, Very Big

Gasteig HP8

Our relaxed concerts are tailored for people who have sensory and communication impairments, or who are neurodiverse. Everyone over the age of 5 who feels more comfortable attending concerts in an easy-going environment is welcome.

Relaxed Thursday Lunchtime Concert

St Giles Cripplegate

Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois takes the stage to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto blending artistry and musical excellence. Dvořák’s work demands technical mastery and emotional depth from the violin with its soaring melodies and tender lyricism that will display Rimma’s profound musical talents and heroism. Guest Conductor Alejandro Gómez Guillén will conduct Elgar’s stirring Enigma Variations, Montgomery’s “Strum,” and Akiho’s “Petroglyphs.” The musicians of the Philharmonic are sure to leave you inspired and under a captive spell.

Rimma Plays Dvořák

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Immerse yourself in the rhythmic world of "La nuit de la percussion" with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, a night dedicated to the art of percussion. This exceptional concert is set to take place on February 27, 2025, at 19:30, in the prestigious Grand Théâtre de Québec. Tickets start at $55, making it an accessible event for all who appreciate the power and subtlety of orchestral music.

Under the baton of Clemens Schuldt, with the renowned percussionist Colin Currie as the featured soloist, the evening promises an unforgettable journey through a variety of musical landscapes. The concert will showcase a collaborative performance with students from the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and the Faculté de musique de l’Université Laval, adding a unique blend of youthful energy and professional artistry.

The program includes Leonard Bernstein's "Danses symphoniques de West Side Story," a piece that captures the essence of the timeless Shakespearean tragedy set against the backdrop of 1950s New York. Andy Akiho's "Concerto for Percussion" will follow, offering a contemporary exploration of rhythm and melody that promises to captivate the audience with its emotional depth and dynamic grooves. The evening will culminate with Maurice Ravel's iconic "Boléro," a masterpiece of orchestral music known for its mesmerizing repetition and climactic crescendo.

Clemens Schuldt describes the concert's atmosphere as "funky" and encourages attendees to come in jeans, setting the tone for a relaxed yet exhilarating experience. The event will not only highlight the technical prowess and expressive capabilities of percussion instruments but also celebrate the fusion of classical and modern musical elements.

For those interested in securing their spot at this must-see event, tickets are available for purchase by phone at 1 877 643 8131. Don't miss the chance to experience the magic of percussion under the stars with the Orchestre symphonique de Québec and special guests.

The Night OF Percussion

Grand Théâtre de Québec

All music tells a story, but the best music tells more than one. Shostakovich’s Festival Overture opens with jubilant trumpets – but this was the Soviet Union, so it would do, wouldn’t it? Prokofiev wrote his Sixth Symphony in the aftermath of World War Two, and though it’s certainly an epic, it’s far from clear that it ends in anything as simple as triumph. At the heart of this concert, Colin Currie performs a show-stopping Percussion Concerto by New York-based percussionist Andy Akiho. In Colin’s own words, he’s “completely blown away by the verve, joy, depth of emotion and vibrancy of colours” in this music, composed in 2019. Prepare for big-hearted marimba solos, chopsticks with amplified rice bowls (!) and a groovy ‘Grand Finale’.

Colin Currie & Ilan Volkov in Aberdeen

Music Hall

Experience the intersection of art and social practice at the SFP PIVOT Festival, curated by the acclaimed composer and singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane. Known for his thought-provoking and genre-defying work, Kahane returns to host an evening of innovative music that blends humor, substance, and artistic depth. The festival features a performance by the Grammy-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion, renowned for their visually and aurally captivating presentations. They will perform Andy Akiho’s "Seven Pillars," a Pulitzer Prize-nominated, evening-length work for percussion quartet that pushes the boundaries of contemporary chamber music. This piece, with its bold and genre-defying composition, is complemented by stage direction and lighting design by Michael Joseph McQuilken, creating an immersive experience. The ensemble, consisting of Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney, has been praised for their dedication to artistry and their ability to engage audiences through multidisciplinary collaborations. This event promises a rich tapestry of sound and visual artistry, showcasing the best in contemporary music and performance.

PIVOT Festival 3

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

A program of marimba music performed by percussion students of Matthew Strauss.

Chamber Music for Percussion

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

From the wistful horn calls of its opening bars to the life-affirming radiance of the closing chorale, Brahms's Second Symphony conjures bucolic landscapes where sunlit serenity and ominous storm clouds share the sky. Plus, Composer-in-Residence Andy Akiho premieres a new concerto for cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, who performs with "unforced simplicity and beauty of tone" (New York Times).

Brahms 2: Moments in Light and Darkness

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Andy Akiho’s Cello Concerto

Sun Valley Pavilion

Join us for an unforgettable evening of chamber music at the Music Academy of the West's "Fellow Fridays III" event. This special concert is set to take place on July 26th at the prestigious Hahn Hall, starting at 7:30 pm. As part of the Fellow Fridays Series, this event promises an eclectic mix of instrument combinations, genres, and styles, all curated and performed by the academy's talented fellows who are on the cusp of their professional careers.

The program for the evening includes a diverse selection of works, promising approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of mesmerizing music with one intermission. Featured pieces include Andy Akiho's dynamic "to wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem," Benjamin Britten's poignant "Canticle V: The Death of Saint Narcissus, Op. 89," and Joan Tower's vibrant "Copperwave." These performances not only showcase the technical prowess of the fellows but also their creative vision in bringing together favorite chamber works for the audience.

In addition to the concert, attendees are invited to a pre-concert picnic, making for a perfect summer evening of music and relaxation. This event is a wonderful opportunity to experience the next generation of classical musicians in a beautiful, beachside setting in Santa Barbara, CA.

Tickets for "Fellow Fridays III" are now available, with prices starting at $45 for regular admission. Community access tickets are also available for free for those aged 7-17, ensuring that the event is accessible to all. Don't miss this chance to support tomorrow's musicians and enjoy an evening filled with captivating performances.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit the Music Academy of the West's website or contact the Carsey Ticket Office at 805-969-8787. Early ticket sales access is a benefit for members of the Vivace Donor Society. Join us for an evening of exceptional music and community spirit at "Fellow Fridays III."

Fellow Fridays III

Music Academy of the West

Join us for an enchanting evening of percussion mastery with Simeon Lee, a talented Bachelor of Music student from the Northwestern Bienen School of Music. This captivating recital is set to take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 8:30pm CDT in the intimate setting of the Ryan Opera Theater. Under the tutelage of She-e Wu, Simeon Lee will showcase his exceptional skills alongside Julianna Wang on flute.

The evening's program promises a diverse and engaging selection of works, including Christos Hatzis's "Fertility Rites," David Lang's "the anvil chorus," Andy Akiho's "-intuition Expectation," and a special arrangement of Antônio Carlos Jobim's "Chega de Saudade" by Gary Burton. This recital offers a unique opportunity to experience the depth and versatility of percussion music, from contemporary compositions to classic favorites.

Admission to this event is free, making it accessible to all who wish to immerse themselves in the world of music. The Shirley Welsh Ryan Opera Theater, located within the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts at 70 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, provides a perfect backdrop for this musical journey. With its double-height ceilings and expansive windows offering views of Lake Michigan, the theater offers an atmosphere that is as visually stunning as it is acoustically vibrant.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging musical talent and experience an unforgettable evening of percussion music. No tickets are required for this event, so be sure to mark your calendar and join us for a night of rhythmic exploration and musical excellence.

Simeon Lee, percussion

Northwestern University

With repertoire spanning the canon to contemporary works, this beloved series is unparalleled in ambition and depth. Under the inspired curation of new Director of Chamber Music Paul Wiancko, globally renowned chamber musicians present 11 ingenious programs rich in revelry and fellowship. Paul’s inaugural season welcomes composer-in-residence Reena Esmail, along with an array of talented first-timers and Festival favorites ready to rock the Dock.

Bank of America Chamber Music

Dock Street Theatre

Audiences are invited to be part of something special this April. A fully immersive performance allowing you to get closer to the music than ever before: on the Symphony Hall stage. Grab a drink, sit down amongst CBSO musicians and allow yourself to be completely surrounded by sound.

Symphonic Sessions: In C

The International Convention Centre

Student Recital: Daniel Cesar Carey

Carnegie Mellon University

The Oberlin-alumni founded woodwind quintet Imani Winds collaborates with cellist Seth Parker Woods, pianist Cory Smythe, and actor Michael Braugher '14 in a program anchored by Jeff Scott’s Fallen Petals of Nameless Flowers, which tells the stories of four Michiganders who were sentenced to life without parole as juveniles.

Imani Winds with cellist Seth Parker Woods, pianist Cory Smythe, and actor Michael Braugher '14

Oberlin College

Heeyeon Kim, Percussion and Stacey Chung, Cello

The Juilliard School

Cory Fica DMA Percussion Recital

University of Miami

Shepherd School Chamber Players

More than a century has passed since its violent, scandalous premiere. And still, Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” continues to surprise and provoke, excite and enthrall. Andreas Delfs leads Stravinsky’s savage masterpiece. Rochester’s own Garth Fagan Dance will realize the rituals in Stravinsky’s score. And, Maestro Delfs conducts another symphonic blockbuster, Prokofiev’s pagan “Scythian Suite.” Plus, Andy Akiho’s theatrical work “Ricochet,” featuring two ping pong players on stage with the orchestra.

The Rite of Spring: Featuring Garth Fagan Dance

Eastman Theatre

After a remarkable opening to the concert, in which mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard performs Ravel’s Chansons madécasses, the program shifts to music written for string quartets—and quartets powerfully augmented into quintets. It begins with Justinian Tamusuza’s bright and driving Ekitundu Ekisooka, made world famous by the Kronos Quartet’s chart-topping Pieces of Africa. Two movements follow from James Lee III’s Clarinet Quintet, recently premiered by the Pacifica Quartet and New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Anthony McGill. Andy Akiho’s exhilarating LIgNEouS 1 features extended technique from string and percussion instruments alike. The program closes with Beach’s potent Piano Quintet, which includes direct references to Brahms’s seminal Piano Quintet.

The Met Orchestra Chamber Ensemble

Carnegie Hall

Sandbox Percussion performs composer Andy Akiho’s Grammy-nominated piece with captivating light design by theater director Michael McQuilken. Seven Pillars continuously flows percussion and light without pause to seamlessly integrate sounds and vision. Virtuosic, playful, and mesmerizing, this evening showcases an incredibly disciplined collective musical experience.

Sandbox Percussion

Walker Art Center

In this ode to chamber music, smaller ensembles of winds, strings, and brass are highlighted through Baroque, Classical, and 20th century masterpieces.

Mozart’s Gran Partita

University of Nebraska Omaha

SLSO string players summon intense color and bold abstraction. Quartets take us on kaleidoscopic journeys through Sky Macklay’s angular reimagination of the familiar cadence and Molly Joyce’s reflection on perfection. Michael Gordon and Leilehua Lanzilotti revel in the emotive beauty of solo instruments. A lone marimba breaks up the string party in Andy Akiho’s virtuosic and percussive banger.

Live at the Pulitzer: Line and Light

Pulitzer Arts Foundation

A Veterans Day celebration of patriotic music with a brass quintet performance in the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Celebrating Our Veterans

Saint Mary Catholic Church

“I have put my whole soul into this symphony,” Tchaikovsky wrote of his Pathétique, with its melancholic melodies, defiant dances, and a harrowing final statement. Plus, Composer-in-Residence Andy Akiho pays tribute to visual artist Jun Kaneko’s storied career in a multimedia work inspired by the ceramicist’s colossal sculptures.

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique

Hailed by The New York Times as “a lush, brooding celebration of noise,” Andy Akiho’s GRAMMY-nominated Seven Pillars is his most ambitious project to date. The work is structured as a large-scale palindrome and consists of seven ensemble movements and one solo movement for each member of the critically acclaimed ensemble Sandbox Percussion. Michael McQuilken's lighting scheme reinforces the work's form throughout the theatrical live performance. Performed by Sandbox, this evening-length work is the largest-scale chamber music work that Akiho has written and that Sandbox has commissioned. Akiho and Sandbox's ongoing collaboration for Seven Pillars has spanned the past 8 years.

Seven Pillars

Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston

Hailed by The New York Times as “a lush, brooding celebration of noise,” Andy Akiho’s groundbreaking Seven Pillars is a genre-defying audio collaboration for percussion quartet, performed by Sandbox Percussion.

Classically Uncorked II: Sandbox Percussion

Donovan Pavilion

Students of Nancy Zeltsman’s percussion and marimba studio perform a selection of songs in the second of two annual studio recitals.

Percussion & Marimba Studio Recital II

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

The Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City presents SANDBOX PERCUSSION—known for their innovative performances and dynamic artistry—on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall on the University of Utah campus. This performance concludes the Society’s 60th Anniversary Season.

SANDBOX PERCUSSION & 60th Annual Meeting

University of Utah

As principal timpani of the Minnesota Orchestra, Erich Rieppel can usually be found near the back of the stage. Sometimes he sits quietly, waiting to make a subtle mark or a grand entrance, and sometimes there’s a lot happening. He’ll take center stage in this concert to play a brand-new concerto by a composer who’s also a virtuoso percussionist.

Hindoyan and Rieppel

Orchestra Hall Minneapolis

In this exciting program, Composer-in-Residence Andy Akiho presents a work that celebrates percussion and rhythm and displays his spellbinding artistry—and that of the Oregon Symphony’s stellar percussion section in the solo spotlight. Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony also thrills with the life-affirming sounds of timpani, bass drum, and cymbals and engages you with this passionate work, about which he confessed, “There is not a single bar in this Symphony which I have not truly felt, and which is not an echo of my most intimate spiritual life…”

Composer

Andy Akiho

Events

Upcoming events

May 19, 2026

SANDBOX PERCUSSION & 60th Annual Meeting · Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City

28 - 29 May, 2026

Hindoyan and Rieppel · Minnesota Orchestra

30 - 31 May, 2026

Percussion & Rhythm with Andy Akiho · Oregon Symphony

Past events

May 3, 2026

Percussive Alchemy · Opera Carlo Felice Genova

Apr 25, 2026

Holsts Planets And Drum Concert · Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Percussion in BeLoud, BeLoved, BeLonging by Akiho

Rockport Music

Percussion in The Synesthisia Suite by Akiho

Rockport Music

About

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