(in alphabetical order) Aaron Bachelder- guitar and percussion, Marcie Haley- drums, Meredith Lamy- vibraphone and percussion, Walker Lewis, Jr.- marimba and percussion, Jonathon Lindsay- piano and percussion, Andrew Schumaker- keyboards and percussion, Valarie Williams- glockenspiel and percussion
Past members: Debbie Davidson, Cecelia Henry, Angela Murphy
The Enrichment Center Percussion Ensemble was formed in 1997 by its director, multi-instrumentalist and composer Aaron Bachelder, from interested students at the Enrichment Center in Winston-Salem, NC, an arts-based day program for adults with disabilities. In doing so, he established something that had never been before- a professional performing group whose members have developmental disabilities. In spite of their lack of prior musical experience, the group began performing within months of its inception, and had soon performed for thousands of people in and around Winston-Salem. Among their early notable performances was one at the opening of memorialist and architect Maya Lin's first sculpture exhibit (at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, where they went on to perform dozens of times), and frequent performances representing both The Arts Council and The United Way of Forsyth County. The group quickly began attracting the attention of other artists, and a number of collaborations followed, including multiple performances with dance/theater groups Chimaera Physical Theater, the African- American Dance Ensemble, and the Open Dream Ensemble of the North Carolina School of the Arts. In 2000, Bachelder was asked to compose a new work for violinist and NC School of the Arts professor Sarah Johnson, accompanied by the ECPE, for her new CD entitled "Fiddler's Galaxy" (Albany Records, 2000). The resultant work, "Nomos", was described by the online journal New Music Box as being among works that "might as well be for electronics, the use of the instruments is so sonically interesting" (along with John Cage and Roger Reynolds). American Record Guide described it as "delicate" and "unfailingly attractive". Dr. Eugene Chadbourne, writing in Allmusic.com, called it "what makes this CD really special" and "inspired" (3 stars). Later, group member Marcie Haley began to gravitate more and more toward the drumset and away from other percussion instruments (Aaron subsequently put away his mallets in favor of a guitar) -this shift, among other factors, pushed the group in a direction toward rock and away from its contemporary classical roots. Their next recording, "Three Pieces" (Microearth Records, 2005, with guests Morgan Kraft, Erich Hubner, and Joel Lambdin), presented this new conception of the group's sound: pop structures, textured with techniques and colors of classical minimalism as well as borrowings from various eastern musics. This recording, too, has been well received critically: Dr. Chadbourne, again in Allmusic.com, says, "the project is noble, virtuous, and capable of inflicting great genius on tobacco country... the opening 'Parallax' marks promising artistic heights" (3 1/2 stars). GoTriad called it "mesmerizing" and "hypnotically lush music" and stated that "the band layers soundscape upon soundscape, leaving me sifting through each listen, finding new and gorgeous elements to discover". In 2006, the track "Parallax" was used in a commercial for the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and the ECPE contributed a new piece, "Wintersong" to the WUAG (U of NC at Greensboro) live compilation, "18 Watts is Better Than None". Since the recording of "Three Pieces", the group has gained two keyboardists, and two percussionists have left. The new lineup began work on a new record in October 2006, with engineers Morgan Kraft and Erich Hubner, produced by Aaron Bachelder and Erich Hubner, mixed in March 2007 with Mitch Easter at the Fidelitorium, and mastered by Brent Lambert at Kitchen Mastering. Guest musicians include Hubner, Kraft, Winston-Salem's own Jeffrey Dean Foster, and Vickie Burick of the Asheville- based band Nevada. This new album, "Ten Songs" was released on June 24th, 2008. Sepiachord.com says "Ten Songs is a well conceived and very well executed album that rewards multiple listens" and "so varied its like listening to a chameleon... we've all heard music like this before, but not quite like this". Southeast Performer magazine notes that the album "achieves more and more after each and every listen. Another travel through the album reveals more layers to the seemingly unending attention to detail that has been paid to many different aspects of ECPE's music... the harmony and technical quality of Ten Songs is an achievement indeed". And Yes! Weekly says "an overall eclectic and rich sound... perfect background music to dream or fantasy".
In 2008, the ECPE travelled across the state to promote Ten Songs, as well as to the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan, NY, and to other venues in Brooklyn and White Plains. In early 2009, their song 'Sparklers' was selected as theme music for the 'Storyline' project, a joint venture of the ECHO Council and the Winston-Salem Foundation. It will be broadcasted several times a week on four different radio stations.
'Nomos' On Fiddler's Galaxy
Sarah Johnson Albany Records, 2000
"might as well be for electronics, the use of the instruments is so sonically interesting"
New Music Box
"what makes this CD really special...inspired"
3 stars
Dr. Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide
"delicate...unfailingly attractive"
American Record Guide
'Three Pieces' Microearth Records 2005
With guests Morgan Kraft, Erich Hubner, and Joel Lambdin
"the project is noble, virtuous, and capable of inflicting great genius on tobacco country... the opening 'Parallax' marks promising artistic heights"
3 1/2 stars
Dr. Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide
"mesmerizing" and "hypnotically lush music"
"the band layers soundscape upon soundscape, leaving me sifting through each listen, finding new and gorgeous elements to discover"
GoTriad
18,000 Watts is Better than None
WUAG live compilation
With ECPE's 'Wintersong'
'Ten Songs' Microearth 2008
"Ten Songs is a well conceived and very well executed album that rewards multiple listens."
"so varied that it's like listening to a chameleon...We've all heard music like this before, but not quite like this."
Sepiachord.com
"...achieves more and more after each and every listen. Another travel through the album reveals more layers to the seemingly unending attention to detail that has been paid to many different aspects of ECPE’s music...The harmony and technical quality of Ten Songs is an achievement indeed."
Southeast Performer, June 2008
"an overall eclectic and rich sound...perfect background music to dream or fantasy"
"a great (mostly instrumental) set of music that should have found a spot on The Life Aquatic soundtrack"
Yes! Weekly
Click link above to listen to samples and order - $9.95 + s&h
Tampa Taiko is a professional drumming duo that has performed their unique style for a vast array of audiences, performing at festivals, concert halls, schools, workshops, summer camps, corporate and VIP events. Using a collection of taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels, Tampa Taiko has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming, bringing a contemporary vibrance to an ancient martial artform.
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
did you-all send a song in to wild things vol 2? we sent in a t-rex style number. Bill Gage loved how it came out. he said "REALLY GREAT". i don't think i've ever heard him use a modifier like that before.
thanks SO MUCH for your recent comment. i've been dying to get in touch with y'all. tried to IM ,though you don't seem to be connected (it's a pain anyway)so i'm leaving my contact info in your mailbox now!
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