Stunning Percussion Concert Presented by TAPS in Rancho Palos Verdes By Melody Tang, TAPS Director of Media
Stunning Percussion Concert Presented by TAPS in Rancho Palos Verdes By Melody Tang, TAPS Director of Media
On June 25th, Rancho Palos Verdes residents, Dr. Joe and Kath Anderson hosted a stunning house concert next to the California coast.
Over 77 guests from all around the USA attended “TAPS Take 2” and enjoyed an incredible evening of music presented by Switzer Learning Center students, musicians from Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, and eight elite collegiate percussionists studying at Ted Atkatz Percussion Seminar (TAPS).
Colburn Conservatory of Music student, Wenlan Jackson, performing Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor by J.S. Bach, accompanied by pianist, Chi-Jo Lee
After they were served hors d’oeuvres and drinks prepared by a chef, guests eagerly gathered to listen to captivating works by Gershwin, Bach, Kreisler, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and more! “TAPS Take 2” featured a wide array of music, from jazzy xylophone rags to West African Drumming to contemporary percussion works featuring the sounds of glass bottles and pitched metal pipes.
(from left to right) William Chinn, Graham Viegut, Margaret Parker, and Diego Zavaleta performing “Mallet Quartet” by Steve Reich
Percussion-themed TAPS Take 2 cookies!
Professor at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, Lynn University, and California State University, Long Beach, Ted Atkatz founded his non-profit, TAPS, in 2015. As the former Principal Percussionist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a lifelong music educator, Atkatz founded TAPS with a vision to provide the highest standard of percussion education with a curriculum that teaches community leadership alongside artistry
TAPS Artistic Director, Ted Atkatz, and Executive and Artistic Director of Elemental Music, Dr. Josephine Liu Moerchel, enjoy the view of the California coast
This year, TAPS gathered eight collegiate percussionists through a selective audition process and provided them with masterclasses taught by world-class faculty, a mock audition to prepare students for the professional world of music, and unique performance opportunities in Los Angeles. The TAPS collegiate students who performed at the Anderson’s house were from California, Texas, Mexico, Peru, and Korea. These students excel in music at the highest level, have toured around the country at various music festivals, solo competitions, conventions, and exhibitions, and have dedicated their lives to making music.
New England Conservatory student, Doyeon Kim, performing Chaconne from Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor on marimba
As lovers of music and avid supporters of the arts, the Anderson family generously offered their home as a concert venue. This concert marked the ninth year of TAPS programming, and TAPS faculty and administration were beyond grateful for the support of the Andersons and the Rancho Palos Verdes community members who came to support TAPS at the concert.
Concert host Kath Anderson, percussionist Doyeon Kim, CSULB professor, Eric Hartwell, and percussionist Peyton Esraelian sharing sweet stories
TAPS also continued its annual outreach program by working with the Switzer Learning Center. Throughout June, TAPS Faculty Artists and collegiate students provided a series of free percussion masterclasses to the Switzer Learning Center students. At this house concert, Switzer Learning Center students performed three West African pieces; this performance was the perfect finale to the TAPS outreach program in June.
West African Drumming performance with students from the Switzer Learning Center
As the evening came to a close, guests had the chance to personally meet the performers and jam with performers to well-known tunes in an informal, intimate setting. This night was truly one to remember, as each guest left inspired by music and touched by the tight-knit, generous community in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Founder and CEO of Rustic Percussion, Ryan Langford, with the TAPS collegiate percussionists
A bittersweet moment as TAPS performers congratulate each other post-concert and prepare to travel home
Originally from Mountain View, California, Melody Tang began her musical career on piano at age four and on guitar and percussion at age nine. Melody is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Percussion Performance and minors in Arts Entrepreneurship, Music Industry Practices, and Songwriting at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Melody is an active performer with the Meadows Percussion Ensemble, Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Meadows Wind Symphony, Mustang Marching Band, Meadows World Music Ensemble, Meadows Jazz Orchestra, and SYZYGY Contemporary Music Ensemble. She began working for TAPS in 2022 and is grateful to serve the Los Angeles community through TAPS.