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Matrix Percussion Trio Premieres New Work

On March 8, 2012 the Matrix Percussion Trio performed on the Benefit Concert for the Lwala Community Alliance, “Celebrating Women Around the World,” at Harpeth Hall in Nashville. Besides performing pieces from their repertoire, they also gave the world premiere of a new work commissioned for the event by Harpeth Hall, Msilale Wanawake. Written by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory, the piece included the trio with the combined choirs and dance company of Harpeth Hall.

Berklee Alumni Grant awarded to Matrix Percussion Trio

The Matrix Percussion Trio has announced they have been awarded a Berklee College of Music 2010-2011 Alumni Grant for their “We Are the World: Percussion Around the Globe” program. This grant, from the prestigious music college in Boston, will fund the Trio’s spring and fall season of school presentations impacting 10,000 public school students in Nashville and surrounding counties.

The program is made available to schools at nominal or no cost, with co-sponsorship and matching funds from the Percussion Marketing Council, through their Percussion in the Schools program. The non-profit Percussion Marketing Council is the percussion industry’s trade organization, made up of drum and percussion manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers across the United States, whose mission is to actively promote the many benefits of drumming to students and the general public. Its members are drum and percussion manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers from across the United States.

Matrix Percussion Trio now on Facebook!

The Matrix Percussion Trio invites you to become a fan at their new Facebook page. Join us here!

New Program Unveiled alongside Nashville Ballet

On Saturday March 27, 2010, the Matrix Percussion Trio performed their new program “Out of Africa” as part of a evening that included the Nashville Ballet. The evening event, held at the restored historic Palace Theater, was part of the Gallatin Arts Council’s Arts Link, a monthly series showcasing the arts. The Nashville Ballet performed The Singing Tortoise, with choreography by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling and music by Matrix Trio member Todd London.

Matrix Percussion Trio partners with Percussion Marketing Council

The Matrix Percussion Trio has recently partnered with the Percussion Marketing Council and their “Percussion in the Schools” program which brings percussion education and first-time performance experiences into elementary and middle school concert assembly activities. “This program will introduce percussion instruments to the general student body, not just the band, orchestra, or choir,” explains Karl Dustman, PMC co-executive director. “Percussion in the Schools aims to inspire all children with the instinctual expression of rhythm.”

The Percussion Marketing Council is the percussion industry's trade organization, a non-profit organization with the mission to actively promote the many benefits of drumming to the general public. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the international organization is comprised of drum and percussion manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers and supporters located throughout the world.

2008-2009 Berklee Alumni Grant awarded to Matrix Percussion Trio

The Berklee College of Music has announced that the Matrix Percussion Trio has been awarded a 2008-2009 Alumni Grant for their “We Are the World: Percussion Around the Globe” program. The Berklee alumni grant program was created to involve alumni in the ongoing life of the college and to support the work of alumni in their own communities Projects designed to offer educational and community support, increase recognition for creative expression, improve self-esteem, and benefit underprivileged children through music have generally been those chosen to receive grants. The grant will be matched by the American Federations of Musicians’ Music Performance Fund, administered by Local #257 of Nashville.

Matrix Percussion Trio completes 2007 School Performance Series

The Matrix Percussion Trio has recently completed a fall series of school performances in Metro Nashville schools. The trio has played 33 concerts at 31 schools, for a combined total of approximately 12,000 students. Their presentation “We Are the World: Percussion around the Globe” showcases the music of diverse cultures from around the world, providing an insight into the unique musical aspects of these cultures, and giving a greater understanding of how certain percussion music and instruments have developed as a result of slavery, oppression, and conquest.

The Matrix Trio's appearances were funded by a national grant from the Zildjian Family Opportunity Fund. The Zildjian Opportunity Fund is a permanently endowed trust, managed and administered through the Percussive Arts Society. Its purpose is to provide funding for percussion-based interactive events directed to underserved youth, ages pre-school through high school. The performances were additionally funded by the American Federation of Musicians’ Performance Trust Fund, administered by Local #257 of Nashville.

2007 Zildjian Opportunity Fund Grant awarded to the Matrix Percussion Trio

In conjunction with the Percussive Arts Society, the 2007 Zildjian Opportunity Fund grant was awarded to the Matrix Percussion Trio. The national award will support presentations by the trio in the Greater Nashville area public schools. The Zildjian Opportunity Fund is a permanently endowed trust, managed and administered through the Percussive Arts Society. Its purpose is to provide funding for percussion-based interactive events directed to underserved youth, ages pre-school through high school. Utilizing outstanding percussion presenters, these events are held at schools, community centers, or other publicly accessible facilities at no charge to participants. Awards are granted based on artistic quality, content of presentation and demonstrated ability to carry out the proposal as submitted.

Matrix Percussion Trio Gives Master Classes

In February 2007 the Matrix Percussion Trio gave master classes at Belmont University and Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. The trio presented, “Becoming an Ensemble: Preparing Music for Performance,” to percussion majors at both universities. The group discussed the genesis of ensemble performance, the process of preparation, and the components of the preparation process. They performed numerous excerpts from their repertoire in illustration as part of the hour long master class presentations.