The group is also known for their use of non-standard instruments and found sounds in performance and on recordings, such as scrap metal, rocks, flower pots, and an amplified cactus.[1][2]
The group's name was suggested by Jenise Treuting, Jason Treuting's sister.
Jenise writes,
The Sō in Sō Percussion comes from 奏, the second character in the compound Japanese word 演奏 (ensou), to perform music. By itself, so means "to play an instrument." But it can also mean "to be successful," "to determine a direction and move forward," and "to present to the gods or ruler." Scholars have suggested that the latter comes from the character's etymology, which included the element "to offer with both hands." 奏 is a bold, straightforward character, but lends itself to calligraphy with a certain energy that gives so a springy, delicate look.[7]
Individuate - With Darian Thomas, Bergamot Quartet, Shelby Blezinger-McCay, and Kasey Blezinger (2022)[39]
Rectangles and Circumstance - with Caroline Shaw (2024)[40]
Education
Princeton University
Since 2014, the members of Sō Percussion have served as the Edward T. Cone performers-in-residence at Princeton University.[41] The group has commissioned and recorded major works from Princeton composition faculty Steven Mackey, Paul Lansky, and Dan Trueman, as well as collaborating many times with the Princeton Sound Kitchen and Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk).[42][43]
Sō Percussion Summer Institute
The annual Sō Percussion Summer Institute (SōSI), founded in 2009, also takes place on Princeton's campus. The program features teaching and performing with the members of Sō Percussion and with Princeton faculty and student composers. Each year includes a number of concerts on Princeton's campus, in New York, outdoors in downtown Princeton, and in Small World coffee shop.[44][45][46][47][48]
Bard College Conservatory
In 2011 the members of Sō Percussion established the first percussion department at the Bard College Conservatory of Music. The undergraduate program is a five-year double degree. Sō Percussion members Eric Cha-Beach and Jason Treuting are current co-directors of the department, together with timpanist Jason Haaheim[49][50][51][52]
Original music
Works with Caroline Shaw (2021-2024)
The members of Sō Percussion co-composed two sets of songs together with singer and composer Caroline Shaw, each released as an album on Nonesuch Records - Let the Soil Play Its Simple Part (2021) and Rectangles and Circumstance (2024).[53][54]
From Out a Darker Sea (2017)
From Out a Darker Sea explores the former coal mining communities of East Durham, UK in a collaboration with Forma Arts and Amber Films.[55]
A Gun Show (2016)
A Gun Show is an exploration of American gun culture using music, video, spoken text, and movement. The project was created collaboratively by the members of Sō Percussion together with director Ain Gordon and choreographer Emily Johnson.[56][57]
Where (we) Live (2013)
Where (we) Live was an original project exploring ideas about home and community, created together with guitarist Grey mcmurray, director Ain Gordon, choreographer Emily Johnson, and video designer Martin Schmidt.[58]
2wice - Fifth Wall (2012)
Members of Sō Percussion composed the score for 'Fifth Wall' - an iPad-based performance by dancer Jonah Bokaer, published by dance magazine 2wice.[59][60]
Shen Wei - Undivided/Divided (2011)
The members of Sō Percussion composed the music for Undivided/Divided with choreographer Shen Wei, which premiered at the Park Avenue Armory in November, 2011.[61]
Martin Kersels: 5 Songs (2010)
In 2010 the Whitney Museum commissioned the members of Sō Percussion to write new original music for performance in connection with Martin Kersels' sculpture project for the Whitney Biennial: 5 Songs.[62]
Imaginary City (2009)
Inspired by the Italo Calvino novel Invisible Cities, Imaginary City used as inspiration the six cities that are home to the presenters that commissioned it: The Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY; The Myrna Loy Center in Helena, MT; The Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, OH; The Flynn Center in Burlington, VT; Diverseworks Art Space in Houston, TX; and The Newman Center in Denver, CO. The project again included original video created by Jenise Treuting as well as theatrical direction by Rinde Eckert.
[63][64]
Music for Trains (2008)
In 2008 Sō Percussion developed the Music for Trains project in southern Vermont. The month-long residency project centered around performances in and around the towns of Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, including concerts in the train stations of those two towns, pre-recorded mp3 players listened to on the trains, and materials gathered from the local community. The project also included original video created by Jenise Treuting and an on-stage sculpture created by local artist Ahren Ahrenholz.[65][66]
Amid the Noise (2006)
A series of short pieces written by group member Jason Treuting, Amid the Noise was the first project of original music created and recorded by members of Sō Percussion. The project also features videos created by video artist Jenise Treuting, which were included in the CD/DVD release of 2006.[67]
Awards
Bessie Award for Outstanding Musical Composition/Sound Design - 2016[68]
American Music Center Trailblazer Award - 2011[69]
Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming - 2004, 2006, 2010[70][71]
