News
Feb 10, 2012
Jan 31, 2012
Percussion Axiom TV: Episode #89
Want an inside look to into the preparation process for performing a solo concerto work with orchestra? Check out Part I in a series of episodes that will allow you to do just that. Hit the YouTube link off to the right for more informative videos. Want more interaction? Take a look at the series' comment thread at Drumchattr. Look for Part II and III soon!
Jan 12, 2012
Austin Civic Orchestra to Feature Burritt in February
The Austin Civic Orchestra will feature Thomas Burritt performing the 1st movement to Eric Ewazen's important "Concerto for Marimba" and orchestra on Saturday, February 04, 2012 at 7:30 PM, in the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Tickets are inexpensive and can be purchased on line. For more information about the program visit their website.
About the work:
Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra was commissioned and premiered by She-e Wu and the Moment Musical Orchestra of Taiwan, under the direction of Paul Chiang. Grandly scaled, the work explores the wide range of expressive possibilities inherent in the marimba. The 1st movement opens with a sustained chorale, soft and peaceful. This leads to an energetic allegro with playful themes tossed between the soloist and orchestra. A sense of energy and excitement pervades the movement. The virtuoso marimba part is filled with cascading arpeggios and flourishes. Following an ever modulating cadenza and a return of the beautiful opening chorale the final allegro section ends triumphantly in C Major.
Want to hear my thoughts about getting ready for this performance? Check out my video blog series Percussion Axiom TV at Drumchattr.com.
Dec 14, 2011
Burritt to premiere new work by Peter Scott Lewis
"The Changing Light" for chamber choir (16 singers), vibraphone and marimba (one player), and string quartet is based on the poetry of Lawrence Ferlinghetti and written for Conspirare. The premiere is part of series of concerts given by Conspirare the weekend of January 19-22. Tickets are available now.
Nov 22, 2011
Burritt to perform with Conspirare
“Conspirare Christmas” at the Long Center Buy tickets!
Five-time Grammy®-nominated Conspirare performs the eighteenth annual edition of its incomparable holiday concert. Always magical, always unique, “Conspirare Christmas” features artistic director Craig Hella Johnson’s renowned “collage” programming that melds music of many centuries and styles into one intensely meaningful whole.
The exquisite artistry of Conspirare’s professional singers is complemented by three guest artists who are long-time Conspirare collaborators: sparkling soprano and Austin favorite Mela Dailey, Seattle-based singer songwriter Matt Alber, and percussionist Tom Burritt, recently named “Best of Austin” by the Austin Chronicle.
“Conspirare Christmas” is one of Austin’s most popular holiday experiences. Performances at its original venue The Carillon on Exposition – an intimate chapel-like space – always sell out early; this year’s performances at that venue were sold out by mid-October. The Long Center performance on December 5 enables a larger audience to experience the world-class artistic quality and unique programming of Conspirare’s holiday concert, at a range of ticket prices to fit every budget.
“Conspirare Christmas” and the Holiday Gala are sponsored by season sustaining underwriter South Texas Money Management.
Nov 2, 2011
Thomas Burritt at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention - 2011
PASIC 2011 will be busy! Burritt will perform John Serry's epic solo marimba work "Night Rhapsody" on Thursday, November 10th at 1:00 pm during the New Music/Research Concert C: Innovations in Keyboard Percussion Solo , and will perform Gordon Stout's "New York Triptych" as part of the 50th Anniversary Marimba Orchestra showcase concert Friday, November 11th at 5:00 pm.
On Friday morning at 10:00 Burritt will be co-presenting and discussing his use of technology with his students at the University of Texas Butler School of music on a session entitled: Creative Uses for Technology in College Percussion Teaching.
Burritt will be appearing at the Malletech booth at PASIC 2011 on Saturday beginning at 10:00. Please come by and say hello. Be sure to use the official #PASIC11 hastag if you are on twitter.
Oct 22, 2011
Thomas Burritt named "Best Guy to Beat the Drum for Percussion" by the Austin Chronicle
For most of us, "I don't want to work; I just want to bang on the drum all day" is merely a dream from a Todd Rundgren song. But for Thomas Burritt, banging on the drum all day is his work. And his joy, too, from the sound of it. Whether he's leading his Butler School of Music students through a piece like Steve Reich's classic "Drumming," rocking the marimba at the Round Top Festival Institute's Percussion Galore! concerts, jamming with the Golden Hornet Project, providing a backbeat for the choral wonder of Conspirare, or hosting a webisode of hisPercussion Axiom TV series, Burritt conveys an infectious enthusiasm for all things you can beat with a stick or a mallet. And while he always masterfully serves the music he's playing, no matter what rhythm he's tapping out when he bangs on the drum (or marimbas or vibraphone or glockenspiel or cymbals), you can't help but hear the beat of his heart.
