MUSIC FROM THE AMERICAS CONCERT SERIES Presents
VERSUS 8 Percussion Ensemble
Percussion music in the Americas is one of the most exotic, visually attractive, and antique forms of expression since pre-hispanic times. Preserving, promoting and creating music for the percussion family of instruments is at the core of Versus 8’s mission through international collaboration with composers, performers, students, and cultural centers that contribute with their resources to the cycle of music, namely: creation, performance, and listening..
Versus 8 Percussion Ensemble offers a fresh perspective on modern and traditional percussion music. In its 16th anniversary Versus 8 has performed in numerous stages around Mexico and internationally in countries such as Paraguay, Cuba, and Luxembourg, USA and Spain.
Travesías is the title of Versus 8’s latest show, which is well-balanced in terms of form, style, and aesthetics of contemporary percussion music, including some of the most symbolic sounds of the beautiful traditional Mexican marimba.
PHOBIA I – BUATUCATTA (2015) Hugo Morales (1979)
THE EXERTING FORCES OF THEIA AND GAIA (2018) José-Luis Hurtado (Mexico, 1975)
DANZA ISORRÍTMICA (1996) Mario Lavista (Mexico, 1943)
RHYTHMIC STRUCTURE OF THE WIND IV (2007) Raúl Tudón (Mexico, 1965)
SON BULERÍAS (2002) Miguel Cruz (Mexico, 1976)
VERSUS 8
Carlos Barrón Valadez Andrés Gómez Jaimes Enrique Eldon Sterling García
Pedro Salvador Velasco artistic director
Percussion Guest Artist Series presents Dr. Michael Vercelli
Dr. Michael B. Vercelli is the director of the World Music Performance Center at West Virginia University. Michael holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology from the University of Arizona.
Musicology Colloquium Series presents Dr. Peter J. García
This presentation examines New Mexico folk music collected by John Donald Robb and studied by Mexican musicologist Vicente T. Mendoza. These collections include folk melodies from the maternal side of García’s family.
Sigma Project Sax Quartet
Music from the Americas presents Spanish Sigma Project Sax Quartet, one of the leading ensembles of the European Contemporary new music scene.
Formed by Andrés Gomis, Josetxo Silgero, Ángel Soria and Alberto Chaves.