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The Space Between IV – University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
The Canadian Percussion Network brings together percussionists from across the country, building connections between research and performance. Our in-person event series, The Space Between (TSB), is dedicated to bridging the gap between these typically siloed fields, creating new opportunities for collaboration and fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving world of percussion.
Since our inaugural event, TSB I at McMaster University in April 2022 (in partnership with OPAS, the Ontario Percussive Arts Society), the series has continued to grow. TSB II at McGill University in January 2024, co-hosted with QPAS (Quebec Percussive Arts Society), welcomed over 160 percussionists from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Japan. Most recently, TSB III in October 2024 brought CPN to the East Coast, connecting with musicians at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
We are excited to turn west for our next meeting, TSB IV. This event, hosted by Victoria Sparks, will take place at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg from August 8-10, 2025. Thanks to a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (PDG), TSB IV will be free of charge for all attendees. As we expand our reach across Canada, this event will offer new opportunities for connection and collaboration within the percussion community.
Partner Ensemble: Sixtrum Percussion
+ performances from the Canadian Percussion Network Orchestra!
Confirmed Presenters
Oral Presentations
| Nadia Azar (on behalf of Aurélie Sarcher) | Metal drummers use ankle physiological tremors to speed up double bass drumming |
| Marvin Burock | The Pop/Rock Session Drummer |
| Anne Chabot-Bucchi | La comprovisation comme méthode de composition pour l’élaboration d’un spectacle de musique contemporaine (pour percussions et électronique) pour tout-petits de 0 à 2 ans inspiré des neurosciences. |
| Stuart Jackson | Reconstructing Coefficient: Frictional Percussion and Electronics (1991) by David Tudor |
| Ken Shorley | Off The Grid : Hand Drum Ensemble Music |
Lecture Demos
| Tarcísio Braga | Development of a New Drum Kit Part for Mestre Radamés by Hermeto Pascoal |
| Joseph Chang | Elements of Adventure: Transitioning from an Arranger to a Composer. |
| Brydone Charlton | Translating Arabic Rhythms for Drumset: Interpretation, Themes, and Variations |
| Beverley Johnston | Finding HER Voice |
| Ben Reimer | Performing the Music of Nicole Lizée |
| Michael Schutz | Has the xylophone been unfairly typecast? Exploring the relationship between acoustic properties and communicative possibilities |
| Rebecca Simpson-Litke | Carrying the Condition of the Dance: An Exploration of Latin Social Dance-Music Rhythms |
| Pete Zambito | Chorale Performance on Marimba – Challenges and Opportunities |
Performances
| Tarcísio Braga | Tambor (Snare Drum Improvisation) |
| Heartland Marimba Quartet | Works for Marimba Quartet Enhanced by Comprehensive Composer LabFest Model |
| Nick Costa | 5 Macrocosms to Improve Your Playing |
| Meagan Foster and Henry Wu | Adaptations for Marimba Duo: Tailleferre and Southam |
| Cascade Percussion | A Man With A Gun Lives Here |
| Jessie Guo | One Study One Summary |
| Triolet: Kristie Ibrahim, Gina Ryan, and Victoria Sparks | Tapestry of Sounds by Triolet |
| Hoi Tong Keung | One Dollar for One Turtle by Ehwa Hong |
| Maggie Koreen and Caroline Bucher | It’s all Noise: Managing Hyperacusis Outside of a Solo Environment |
| Duo Simuldos (Manuel López Tovar and Crystal Kim) | Marcel Farago’s “Toccata-Prelude for Cello and Timpani” |
| Shawn Mativetsky | Temporal Waves: Music for tabla and synthesizers, through the lens of nostalgia |
| Nicholas Papador | Djed (The Pillar) for marimba catalyst and percussion trio |
| Fish Yu | The God of Cookery: Presenting Cantonese Food & Movie through Percussion Ensemble |
Posters
| Theodore Lysyk | Review: Movement Analysis for Marimba and Four-Mallet Percussion |
| Bevis Ng | Reimagining Hong Kong: Culture in Rhythmic Dialogue |
| Gary Scavone | Computer Tuning of Idiophone Bars (Accordage des barres idiophones avec des ordinateurs) |
| Michael Schutz | Has the Xylophone Been Unfairly Typecast? Exploring the Relationship Between Acoustic Properties and Communicative Possibilities |
| Pete Zambito | Student Health and Well Being – How Can We Help? |
Event host
Victoria Sparks is the percussion instructor for the Desautels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba. She is the founder and director of the annual Manitoba Band Association’s Prairie Percussion Workshop for aspiring young percussionists. Active as a soloist in a variety of chamber music series in Winnipeg, Victoria also performs regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, is principal timpani/percussion for the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and works with many other local arts organizations.
