Minnesota Percussion Trio is comprised of percussionists Bob Adney, Paul Hill and Erik Barsness. These three creative classical percussionists specialize in traditional Western percussion instruments, along with more unconventional instruments that can produce surprising musical sounds.
The Minnesota Percussion Trio has performed for literally thousands of young people in the Twin Cities since 1987 via their school and community fine arts programs. The group has partnered with some of the premiere music organizations in the area including the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Public Radio and MacPhail Center for Music. The trio were finalists in the 2015 McKnight Artist Fellowship awards. The trio has recently premiered words by Minnesota composers, Katherine Bergmann and Sarah Miller. The group has been featured on both KARE 11 and WCCO 4 news program.
Program Offerings
Performances
Around the World in 80 Beats
GET A FEEL FOR THE DIFFERENT REPERTOIRE MINNESOTA PERCUSSION TRIO CAN PERFORM.
Travel on a whirlwind tour of the musical traditions found on five of the seven continents of the world. The Trio begins their tour in Minnesota with a march composed by local musician David Eyler. Listen to an up tempo polka on the marimba, Guatemala’s national instrument, and the sounds of the kashishi rattle from Brazil. Board a virtual plane for Europe to hear Spanish Flamenco and Middle Eastern tar dance rhythms. Hear the rhythms of the Ghana Gourd Shakere and Australia’s own musical invention, the Lagerphone. Return to the United States for some West Coast Jazz and Early Rock and Roll on the drum set, an instrument created here in the United States.
*The trio charges a fee for Drumset Cartage and a fee for Marimba Cartage. If the school/sponsor can supply one or both of these instruments, the school/sponsor then saves that amount of money. (Drumset should be a standard 4 piece kit. Marimba should be a minimum of 4 octaves) It is typical that the group brings both of the instruments but offer this variable as a means to save money for the school.
Clicks, Claps & Clunks
Discover the wide variety of musical possibilities that exist in the everyday world. Claves, tin cans, buckets, paper, spring poles, snare drums and even the human body can all be used as percussion instruments.
Community Fine Arts Concert
The Minnesota Percussion Trio is able to offer formal concerts for a Community Fine Arts series. These concerts are typical evening/weekend concerts open to the community. This program will feature innovative percussion chamber music that will engage and entertain audiences of all ages. Sponsors may also request any repertoire that the group performs in our other programs.
The Beat Goes On
Experience the original trio program that has been seen in over 1000 schools since 1987. The trio will introduce the audience to the first instruments ever played by humans as well as instruments commonly found in school music programs such as the snare drum, xylophone and the drumset. See and hear the wide spectrum of percussion sounds and music.
*The trio charges a fee for Drumset Cartage, Marimba and Xylophone Cartage and for Vibraphone Cartage. If the school/sponsor can supply any of these instruments, the school/sponsor then saves that amount of money. (Drumset should be a standard 4 piece kit. Marimba should be a minimum of 4 octaves, Vibraphone should be 3 octaves with working pedal and Xylophone should be a minimum of 2.5 octaves) It is typical that the group brings all of the instruments but offer this variable as a means to save money for the school. (The pricing for this cartage is different from the World program as the Trio also brings additional instruments beyond what is stated here, this program also require a longer set-up time and take down time).
Workshop
Percussion Master Class
Percussion students and their directors gain expert advice on percussion techniques, instrument maintenance, musical styles and ensemble skills by working with these three exceptional musicians and teachers.
Note: Ideal for grades 7-12. This workshop is only available for existing percussion sections or ensembles.
