Rhythmic Renaissance: The Evolution of Percussion Ensemble, with Michael Burritt

In this dynamic episode, AEL Artist Ian Hale sits down with world renowned educator, percussionist and composer Michael Burritt to explore his artistic journey, decades of teaching, and his insights into the evolution of the percussion ensemble medium. The conversation also highlights the launch of Arts Empowering Life’s exciting new Residency Program that has just launched this week!

 

About Michael Burritt:

Having performed in four continents and more than forty states, Michael Burritt is one of his generation’s most accomplished percussionists. He is in frequent demand performing concert tours and master classes throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Canada. Mr. Burritt has been soloist with the United States Air Force Band, Dallas Wind Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Nexus, Third Coast Percussion, Ju Percussion Group (Taiwan), Percussion Art Quartet (Germany), and the Amores Percussion Group (Spain). He has three solo as well as numerous chamber recordings, including Home Trilogy with Nexus, and a forthcoming album of solo and chamber works by Alejandro Viñao with Third Coast Percussion. He recently premiered Fast Forward, a new chamber concerto written expressly for him by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Schwantner.

He has been a featured artist at nine Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. In 1992 he presented his New York solo debut in Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall and in 1998 performed his London debut in the Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall. Mr. Burritt has performed with the Chicago Chamber Musicians, The Chicago Symphony, Nexus, Third Coast Percussion, and The Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra.

Mr. Burritt is also active as a composer, with three concertos and numerous solo and chamber works for marimba and percussion. His solo marimba works have become standard repertoire and are frequently required in international competitions. Commissions include The World Marimba Competition, The Paris International Marimba Competition, Nexus, and Paris Percussion Group. He is published with Keyboard Percussion Publications, C. Alan, Masters Music, and Innovative Percussion. Burritt is also an artist/clinician and product design consultant for Malletech, where he developed his own line of mallets and the MJB Signature Marimba. He is an artist/educational clinician with Zildjian, Evans, and Yamaha Drums.

Mr. Burritt currently holds the Paul J. Burgett Distinguished Professorship and is Professor of Percussion at The Eastman School of Music. Prior to his appointment at Eastman, he was Professor of Percussion at Northwestern University from 1995–2008. He received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees, as well as the Performers Certificate from the Eastman School of Music.