When a group has a name like “Sandbox Percussion,” you know that their show will probably be utterly fascinating. On Friday, October 2, Choate alum Jonny Allen performed with his group, Sandbox Percussion, in the Paul Mellon Arts Center. Throughout the night, the group shattered perceptions of classical percussion with stunning energy, vitality, and imagination. This production was one that Choate will not easily forget.
The group consists of Allen and his three partners: Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney. “We came together for the common purpose of playing this music,” said Rosenbaum, “very similar to how kids come together to play in a sandbox.” Thus, the group decided to name itself the Sandbox Percussion. The types of instruments the performers use vary from drums to marimbas to xylophones; each instrument adds a new layer to the performances.
Sandbox Percussion’s area of expertise lies in performing pieces by other composers, as well as creating their own original works. “Between the four of us we make one really good person – when you add all four together, you get the four corners of a square,” Allen remarked.
The performance was part of the 125th Anniversary “Celebrating Alumni in the Arts” series. Ms. Kalya Yannatos, the Arts Department Head, stated, “I thought of Jonny because his ensemble really pushes barriers in different genres.” Moreover, “Two weeks ago, at the faculty music concert, Jonny blew the roof off the chapel with a solo piece that he played,” leading her to believe that Choate students would react similarly during his group’s performance The timing was also perfect; as Ms. Yannatos remarked, Sandbox Percussion is currently at a very exciting moment in its career: “they’re taking off, but they’re not so far off that we can’t pull them in,” she said.
The key to the creative influences of their pieces is “being really honest with yourself,” Allen said. “If there is a thing that doesn’t really exist and I wish we had something like that, I think ‘I’ll just write it.’” The final product is cohesive and contains personal touches from all members. “I like it when I write a piece of music and the finished product comes out, and it’s kind of hard to pinpoint where it’s coming from,” commented Cassece.
Sam Markowitz ’17, a percussionist in the Choate Symphony Orchestra, shared: “A couple of pieces that they wrote had a personal touch,” adding that he thought those flourishes gave the performance a characteristic vibe.
Ms. Yannatos concluded, “It’s inspiring for students to realize that opportunities aren’t limited to whatever labels they identify with.” She added, “Jonny is a percussionist. Not many people think: I want to grow up and be a percussionist, but he has shown that you can do that and be successful, influential and inspiring.”
