World renowned taiko ensemble KODO to return to Royce Hall, UCLA, Feb. 9-11, 2007
Topic: KODO

 

Translating as “heartbeat” or “children of the drum,” KODO generates waves of intense rhythmic percussion to create a primal musical experience. (Photo by Ryuichi Okano. Courtesy of UCLA Live)

 

 

    In 2006/07 World Music Series, UCLA Live features Japan’ s powerful taiko ensemble KODO from Friday, Feb. 9 – Sunday, Feb. 11 at Royce Hall in the UCLA campus.

 

     Translating as “heartbeat” or “children of the drum,” KODO generates waves of intense rhythmic percussion to create a primal musical experience. Formed in 1981 by a community of people who sought to preserve the traditional Japanese performing arts, these intense percussionists from Japan’s Sado Island electrify audiences with their virtuosity, enormous strength and stamina.

 

      “KODO reminds its audience that, above all, its music is a matter of flesh and blood, wood and stretched skin. KODO can raise the roof, but can also show extraordinary finesse,” wrote The New York Times.

 

     Always a crowd-pleaser, this one-of-a-kind ensemble makes it triumphant return to Royce Hall as part of their 2007 One Earth Tour promoting global unity.

 

     On Feb. 9 and 10, the evening performances begin at 8 p.m. at Royce Hall. The special matinee show as part of the Design for Sharing Family Series begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11 at Royce Hall.

 

      Through UCLA Live’s Design for Sharing Family Series, children and their families experience award-winning, international performing arts together. The series is named for UCLA Live’s outreach program, Design for Sharing, which has offered an eclectic mix of events and programs in the performing arts for children and the community for more than 37 years.

 

      Special matinee performances for all ages are discounted when purchased as part of the Design for Sharing Family series.

 

     Regular tickets for KODO performances are $50, $38, $28 and $17 for UCLA students.

 

     The special matinee tickets for children 12 years and under are $17. These children’s priced tickets are available through phone sales only. Call (310) 825-2101.

 

   For regular tickets and information, visit www.UCLALive.org.

Taiko Fest '07 at Biola University, Feb. 24
Topic: Kishin Daiko

 

  Taiko Fest '07 will be held at Biola Univeristy on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 pm.  Admission is free. The festival features Kishin Daiko and Zendeko in Los Angeles. The concert will be held at Sutherland Hall Auditorium. 

 

   Biola University is located at 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA  90639. For more information, call Glen Kinoshita, Director of Multi-Ethnic Program at (562) 944-0351 ext. 5832.

    The Taiko Fest at Biola was originally started to expose students from
various backgrounds who were not familiar with Taiko.  Now the event becomes open to the general community, all are invited. 

On Ensemble Taiko Lessons, Sept. 10 through Oct. 29
Topic: On Ensemble

ON ENSEMBLE IS NOW PREPARING FOR OUR THIRD SESSION OF TAIKO COURSES AND PRIVATE LESSONS!

Please help us spread the word!

Beginning Sunday, September 10, Maz and I will be teaching the next session of our in-depth taiko classes and private lessons! 

 

Designed specifically for taiko players, On Ensemble's taiko lessons provide hands-on instruction and in-depth exploration of taiko technique.

Classes are taught Sundays in Glassel Park (north of downtown LA) and Friday evenings in Torrance.  A possible additional class will be taught Thursdays in Glassel Park.

Each course is $150 and is limited to six participants. 

Each class is 90 minutes. 

Participants are expected to complete simple, weekly practice assignments.

Space is limited to contact us today (kris@OnEnsemble.org, 310-350-8825) to reserve a spot!

Kris Bergstrom


SESSION THREE COURSES:
Ridiculous Rhythms 101
Slant-Drum Solos 102
Multi-drum Taiko 101  NEW!
Improvisation 103

All of the courses this session are intro-level, open to all taiko players. 

A note on the class numbering system:  100-series courses have no pre-requisites.  Classes within the 100-series with differing numbers (Improvisation 101 vs Improvisation 102, for example) cover the same basic concepts through differing drills, patterns, and between-class exercises.  Students who seek to take a class again are encouraged to continue with differently numbered classes within the same series.

RIDICULOUS RHYTHMS 101
Sundays 10am - 11:30am  Glassel Park
(possible additional course Thursday evenings)
September 10 through October 29

This course dives into the concept of "melodic taiko", teaching a mind-bending pattern that requires hand independence and tricky timing skills.  The extremely difficult pattern is broken down and taught in logical chunks that can be easily understood and memorized. Drills related to the basic techniques of the pattern are presented and practiced. Come conquer one of the hardest taiko rhythms around!

SLANT-DRUM SOLOS 102
Sundays 12noon - 1:30pm  Glassel Park
 (possible additional course Thursday evenings)
September 10 through October 29

Slant-drum solos explores the slant-drum playing style, teaching a number of specific movements and slant-drum concepts. Over the course of the class, participants build a complete solo, ready for debut at the next Matsuri jam!

MULTI-DRUM TAIKO 101
Sundays 2pm - 3:30pm  Glassel Park
Fridays 7:30pm - 9pm  Torrance
 (possible additional course Thursday evenings)
September 10 through October 29

This all-new course introduces techniques related to playing rhythms across multiple taiko.  Using more than one taiko, a shime, okedo, and nagado-daiko, for example, allows for melodic patterns that use the full-range of taiko's sounds.  This "taiko-set" style of drumming benefits from techniques that enable faster playing and quick hand movements.  Multi-Drum Taiko 101 presents these techniques along with drills to improve comfort and speed with two or more taiko.

IMPROVISATION 103
Sundays 4pm - 5:30pm  Glassel Park
(possible additional course Thursday evenings)
September 10 through October 29

Taiko performance often utilizes improvisation, from the classic Matsuri Daiko to jazz-influenced, contemporary pieces.  Unfortunately, many taiko players are simply thrown into "soloing", without being given any of the helpful tricks and techniques that can make improvisation successful and fun. This course teaches concrete concepts of improvisation, along with drills to improve player's "real-time taiko."  Participants work toward playing a fully-improvised piece by the end of the course.

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS and WORKSHOPS
Interested in focusing on an aspect of your taiko not offered this session?  On Ensemble now offers private lessons and workshops on all things taiko.  Private lessons are $25 for 30 minutes and $40 per hour.  Groups of two or more can schedule a workshop at $25 per person, per hour.  Topics include:

    Shinobue Flute
    Betta Technique (upright nagado)
    Slant Technique (naname)
    Rhythm and Timing
    Shime Playing
    Shime Tightening
    Composition For Beginners

Private lesson and workshop dates and times are scheduled individually.
 
SPACE IS LIMITED, SIGN UP TODAY!
To register for a class or private lesson, email Kris Bergstrom at kris@OnEnsemble.org or call 310-350-8825.

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Masato Baba started playing taiko at age six with Shasta Taiko, founded by his parents, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer.  He has studied, performed, and recorded with renowned taiko artist Kenny Endo and taught extensively at the Taiko Center of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.  He has recently returned from an extended stay in Japan where he studied Japanese flute and taiko and now teaches and performs with On Ensemble, Taiko Project, and Bombu Taiko.

Kris Bergstrom began his taiko career as a member, composer, and leader of the university group, Stanford Taiko.  He spent three years in Japan where he studied and performed traditional dance and nagauta shamisen.  He has taught taiko in northern Japan, at Taiko Conferences, and at Cal State University Northridge.  He has developed the TIASOU Method for shime tightening which he teaches in private and group lessons, along with shimedaiko playing technique.

 

http://www.onemsenble.org

 

 

Taiko Festival XI: Koshin & Okida-Gumi
Topic: Okida Gumi

Minor Earthquake to Hit Occidental College October 14th

TAIKO FESTIVAL XI: Koshin & Okida-Gumi

Celebrating 15 Years of Taiko

 

October 14, 2006   7:30pm

Occidental College, Thorne Hall

1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi

 

(Los Angeles, CA, October 14, 2006) – On October 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. taiko lovers, as well as world music enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to hear two of California’s most renowned taiko groups, Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi, as they celebrate 15 years of playing taiko at Taiko Festival XI.

 

The concert, which is to be held at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College campus, will treat the audience to an evening of diverse taiko performances featuring invited guest performers Jodaiko, Makoto Taiko and Yoki Daiko,  two world premieres, and Thunder, one of the largest drums in North America.

 

Master Etsuo Hongo, Artistic Director of the groups, says, “This concert will fuse the traditional rhythms and feelings of Japanese taiko with the contemporary styles of North American drumming. The groups’ training and intense focus has been on capturing the Japanese feeling and sound and transcending to a high-level of performance art.” 

 

For 15 years, Venice Koshin Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the rich sounds of the taiko drums. In high demand, they have performed for the premier of Microsoft’s XBOX 360, LA Marathon, Nickelodeon, Viper Room for Hunter S. Thompson, and the Auto Dealers Association. 

 

Koshin means "bright spirit" and aptly describes the vigor and enthusiasm the group exhibits both on and off stage. Koshin Taiko, the only taiko group in the U.S. that exclusively plays the okedo-daiko (drums tightened by ropes), incorporates powerful sounds and distinctive movements with concentration, discipline, and harmony.

 

Virginia Minami, who played the Taiko lead in a Mitsubishi commercial, is Associate Director of the group. She states, "We want our local audiences to appreciate this cultural treasure – its diversity, history, and spirituality.”

 

Under the guidance of Master Etsuo Hongo, Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi has been invited to perform at some of the largest taiko gatherings in the United States, including the International Taiko Festival and the North American Taiko Conference.

 

The group, whose drums are made from oak wine barrels, has also performed at the U.S. Sumo Open, Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park, and local community events. Okida-Gumi, which includes children as young as nine, seeks to raise the level of intensity and enjoyment of taiko for themselves, as well as the audience, by striving for a high level of group unity.

 

With its roots in the folk tradition of Japan, the taiko drum has served many purposes: priests played it to chase evil spirits and insects from the rice fields while the samurai used its powerful beat to bolster their courage and to instill fear in the enemy. Villagers would play the taiko to pray for rain, enliven festivals, and give thanks for bountiful harvests. 

 

Taiko playing in North America began 35 years ago, growing steadily in popularity thanks to TV commercials, as well as prominent films such as Rising Sun, Hero, Charlie’s Angels, Memoirs of a Geisha, and currently has over 250 groups in the United States and Canada. 

 

This concert will bring the taiko experience to a wider audience and showcase the innovation of taiko drumming in the Southern California community.

 

For all who wish to attend the concert, tickets are $25. To reserve tickets, go to http://taikofestival.koshintaiko.org or call (818) 995-1335.

 

Taiko Festival XI: Koshin and Okida-Gumi
Topic: Koshin Taiko

Minor Earthquake to Hit Occidental College October 14th

TAIKO FESTIVAL XI: Koshin & Okida-Gumi

Celebrating 15 Years of Taiko

 

October 14, 2006   7:30pm

Occidental College, Thorne Hall

1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi

 

(Los Angeles, CA, October 14, 2006) – On October 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. taiko lovers, as well as world music enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to hear two of California’s most renowned taiko groups, Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi, as they celebrate 15 years of playing taiko at Taiko Festival XI.

 

The concert, which is to be held at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College campus, will treat the audience to an evening of diverse taiko performances featuring invited guest performers Jodaiko, Makoto Taiko and Yoki Daiko,  two world premieres, and Thunder, one of the largest drums in North America.

 

Master Etsuo Hongo, Artistic Director of the groups, says, “This concert will fuse the traditional rhythms and feelings of Japanese taiko with the contemporary styles of North American drumming.

 

The groups’ training and intense focus has been on capturing the Japanese feeling and sound and transcending to a high-level of performance art.” 

 

For 15 years, Venice Koshin Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the rich sounds of the taiko drums. In high demand, they have performed for the premier of Microsoft’s XBOX 360, LA Marathon, Nickelodeon, Viper Room for Hunter S. Thompson, and the Auto Dealers Association. 

Koshin means "bright spirit" and aptly describes the vigor and enthusiasm the group exhibits both on and off stage. Koshin Taiko, the only taiko group in the U.S. that exclusively plays the okedo-daiko (drums tightened by ropes), incorporates powerful sounds and distinctive movements with concentration, discipline, and harmony.

 

Virginia Minami, who played the Taiko lead in a Mitsubishi commercial, is Associate Director of the group. She states, "We want our local audiences to appreciate this cultural treasure – its diversity, history, and spirituality.”

 

Under the guidance of Master Etsuo Hongo, Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi has been invited to perform at some of the largest taiko gatherings in the United States, including the International Taiko Festival and the North American Taiko Conference.

 

The group, whose drums are made from oak wine barrels, has also performed at the U.S. Sumo Open, Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park, and local community events. Okida-Gumi, which includes children as young as nine, seeks to raise the level of intensity and enjoyment of taiko for themselves, as well as the audience, by striving for a high level of group unity.

 

With its roots in the folk tradition of Japan, the taiko drum has served many purposes: priests played it to chase evil spirits and insects from the rice fields while the samurai used its powerful beat to bolster their courage and to instill fear in the enemy. Villagers would play the taiko to pray for rain, enliven festivals, and give thanks for bountiful harvests. 

 

Taiko playing in North America began 35 years ago, growing steadily in popularity thanks to TV commercials, as well as prominent films such as Rising Sun, Hero, Charlie’s Angels, Memoirs of a Geisha, and currently has over 250 groups in the United States and Canada. 

 

This concert will bring the taiko experience to a wider audience and showcase the innovation of taiko drumming in the Southern California community.

 

For all who wish to attend the concert, tickets are $25. To reserve tickets, go to http://taikofestival.koshintaiko.org or call (818) 995-1335.

 

Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational, May 28
Topic: Intercollegiate
12th Anual Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational
May 28 (Sun) 7PM

UC Riverside, University Theatre
Ticket (951) 827-4331 General $10

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