Hundreds packed John L. Tishman Auditorium on Thursday September 14th to see Sandbox Percussion, the musical ensemble group serving as The College of Performing Arts’ new ensemble-in-residence. The group was about to perform their Grammy nominated album, “Seven Pillars,” when they were met with a delightful surprise. 

Andy Akiho, the album’s composer, surprised both the audience and the ensemble with an appearance at the event. Akiho took to the floor to express his gratitude to the ensemble for the past decade of partnership and congratulate them on their new ventures with CoPA. 

Thursday evening marked Sandbox Percussion’s 30th performance of “Seven Pillars,” and the first CoPa hosted performance this academic year.Working on the piece with Akiho since 2012, the ensemble finally debuted it in 2021 garnering two nominations for the recorded version at the 2022 Grammy awards. 

The auditorium was brimming with anticipation as Richard Kessler, the dean of Mannes School of Music, addressed the room. Kessler called the piece an “instant masterpiece” and one that “transcends communication.”

Sandbox Percussion initially announced their new partnership with CoPA in February 2022, and the musical group’s four members – Jonathan Allen, Terry Sweeney, Ian Rosenbaum, and Victor Caccese – have all joined CoPA as faculty members since. 

As part of the program they are responsible for teaching workshops, hosting seminars, and performing for and alongside members of CoPA. The group sits in marvelous company among the existing ensembles of the program: The JACK quartet , The Westerlies, and The Vanguard Orchestra.

On Wednesday the ensemble commenced the two-day celebration of their first full year with CoPA at an interactive seminar and Q&A that deconstructed the complex rhythms of “Seven Pillars.” While explaining the “guiding principles” of the piece, as Allen called them, the ensemble walked the audience through multiple games centered around the intricate patterns of each movement. 

The 80-minute performance was a seamless show of skill. After the final movement, which had the audience cheering throughout, the auditorium erupted in applause and a standing ovation ensued. 

“It was so clear that they had been working together for quite a long time and really honing their skills not only as musicians but as a team,” said audience member Nadia Frye.  
The ensemble will be back in New York for two more upcoming performances of “Seven Pillars” at the Park Avenue Armory on October 1st and 3rd.