The Dr. Seuss inspiration is obvious in Red Fish Blue Fish, UCSD’s percussion ensemble. The work of this group is as eclectic as the writing of Dr. Seuss, and with just as much creativity.
Red Fish Blue Fish is comprised of members of the music department, and Artistic Director and professor Steven Schick, who is a percussionist.
“”[Red Fish Blue Fish] serves as a laboratory for experimental percussion music, including numerous collaborations with the composers and performers of the UCSD music department,”” writes Schick on the music department Web site.
The popular ensemble is a barrage of sounds fused together to create a unique, musical experince. This is music that incorporates a wide range of styles and emotions. Melodies are constructed out of the various pitches and tones of the percussion instruments. Red Fish Blue Fish is known to put on unforgettable and energetic performances.
Red Fish Blue Fish recently performed at the Bang on a Can Marathon at the Lincoln Center in New York, and has performed in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s “”Green Umbrella Series.””
Artistic Director Steven Schick has composed over 100 works that were presented at festivals such as the British Broadcasting Corp. Proms, the Jerusalem Festival and the Stockholm International Percussion Event. Schick has also been a regular guest lecturer at the Rotterdam Conservatory and the Royal College of Music in London. Schick released “”Steven Schick: Drumming the Dark”” off the Neuma Records label in May 2001.
This year the program will include “”Lives (2)”” by Nicholas Hennies, “”Refrain”” by Karlheinz Stockhausen, “”Howl”” by Allen Ginsberg and “”Okho”” by IannisXenakis. Guest performers include Luciane Cardassi playing the celeste and Aleck Karis on the piano.
Those who think that UCSD is without culture should enjoy the performance by Red Fish Blue Fish — it is contemporary music at its best.
Red Fish Blue Fish will be performing at the Mandeville Recital Hall at the Mandeville Center on Thursday, May 23. Look to the Hiatus calendar on page 15 for more information.