Sixtrum Brings Percussive Power and Innovation to Winnipeg Concert Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Desautels Concert Hall .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } The University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music is reverberating with sound this week, thanks to the Prairie Percussion Workshop and Prairie Brass Camp. Students from across Winnipeg are taking part in an intensive week of learning led by some of the top brass and percussion educators in the country. This year’s percussion workshop is especially exciting thanks to the presence of Sixtrum, the renowned Montreal-based percussion ensemble. Not only are members of the group teaching throughout the week, they are also performing Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Desautels Concert Hall in a concert that launches the Canadian Percussion Network’s annual Space Between conference, which runs August 8–10. High-Energy Teaching and Hands-On Learning Kristie Ibrahim, one of Sixtrum’s founding members, described the experience of teaching the young musicians as “intense… It’s really fantastic. The kids are divided into three groups, and so we just go non-stop from one group to the next… I think maybe I have a little bit more energy than they do at some point, but I know they sound great and we should be ready for the concert on Friday.” Fellow Sixtrum member Fabrice Marandola is working with the timpani players. “For all of them the focus is the same—sound production, tone production, having a good technique,” he said. “We are reinforcing all the fundamentals and giving them methods, and methodology. How do I practice? How can I make it sound good and improve?” A Percussion Powerhouse with a Passion for New Music Formed in 2007, Sixtrum has premiered over 40 new works—and earned a reputation for trailblazing performances. Their formation was inspired by the six-member French group Les Percussions de Strasbourg, pioneers in the genre. “When I arrived [in Montreal] in the mid-2000s, the tradition of percussion ensemble had gone quiet,” said Marandola. “So with colleagues from Université de Montréal and McGill, we got together and said, well, let’s start an ensemble… We wanted to be able to do this repertoire.” Ibrahim, reflecting on her journey into ensemble percussion, added, “I was already completely hooked… It was pretty amazing to say, let’s enter this world of the percussion ensemble—and it’s 18 years later. And yeah, no regrets.” A New Work by Örjan Sandred Friday’s concert will include the premiere of a new work by composer Örjan Sandred, who teaches at the University of Manitoba. Known for his work with live electronics, Sandred took a novel approach to composing for the ensemble. “I came up with the idea of why not work with a game-like structure,” he explained. “They compete with each other, and the computer in this case is kind of the judge seeing who’s better… I hope that drama of the game will translate into the music.” The electronic elements are largely derived from percussion instruments, processed and manipulated to create immersive, surround-sound textures. “You get the audience in the middle of the music,” said Sandred. Playing the Game—Literally Percussionist Kristie Ibrahim explained that while the piece uses traditional notation, the interaction with electronics adds a dynamic twist. “In the games we have to figure out how we play impacts how the electronics reacts,” she said. “The speed, the volume, all of those kinds of things… Our reaction time is really important. All of those help us gain or lose points in this game. And we might be just a little competitive.” Why It Matters Sixtrum’s presence isn’t just about dazzling performances—it’s also about mentorship and inspiration. “When [students] see us perform… they’re like, oh, that’s why we need to do this practice,” said Marandola. “Maybe they won’t be professional percussionists—it doesn’t matter. But they will be music lovers, and they might be composers. Some of them might say, ‘I want to do that too.’” Percussion Geeks Unite The Space Between conference—named to reflect the intersection of research, performance, and pedagogy—brings percussionists from across Canada together. It features keynote presentations, including one by a Saskatoon-based marimba builder who’s developing a new contrabass marimba. “It’s an opportunity to geek out,” said Marandola. “But geek out in a way to discover new things… It’s the only opportunity to see each other and actually discuss with each other.” A Premiere Not to Miss For composer Sandred, Friday’s concert marks the culmination of a long creative process. “It’s always like a big excitement to hear a premiere of a piece,” he said. “It’s like your baby… you’re really protective, and then one day you have to let go.” The concert, which kicks off The Space Between IV and concludes the Prairie Percussion Workshop, takes place Friday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Desautels Concert Hall. Expect bold sounds, immersive experiences, and some spirited musical competition—where even the computer keeps score. Admission is completely free.