THE REALLY HARD RHYTHM SOCIETY "Bored into a confused slumber during the arrogant pauses between overplayed 19th-century masterpieces, our ensemble hopes to bring drama, wit, and, most importantly, hard rhythm to the concert hall through the use of our own music, contemporary masterpieces, non-traditional and non-western non-classics, and theater." -James Welsch, founder Formed in 1998 at Interlochen Arts Academy, The Really Hard Rhythm Society is a contemporary chamber ensemble that seeks to challenge preconceptions about classical music through vibrant and exciting theatrical-musical performances of music from diverse sources. The Society is dedicated to the performance and preservation of great music composed throughout the 20th-century as well as commissioning, composing, and performing cutting-edge 21st-century music. The group's repertoire ranges from "traditional" contemporary music to popular music, specializing in the newest forms of experimental music including found object music, body percussion, rhythmic speech, theatrical music, and music employing extended instrumental and vocal techniques. In addition to playing their principle instruments (including percussion, piano, marimba, and bass) each of the seven members of The Society plays the role of a singer, composer, improviser, and actor. To supplement The Society's unorthodox instrumentation, the group often works with guest performers and soloists to expand its musical possibilities. The Society's repertoire includes music written by members of the ensemble and other up-and-coming composers, alongside works by John Cage, Lou Harrison, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and Meredith Monk, to name a few. Through electrifying, fast-paced performances, The Really Hard Rhythm Society offers a fresh new look at some of the most bizarre and beautiful music ever created. The Really Hard Rhythm Society is: Anahita, Danny Holt, Drew Jorgensen, Jonathan Shapiro, James Welsch, Bonnie Whiting, and Patrick Wickliffe. Their self-titled debut CD is waiting to be discovered. Anahita, noisemaker extraordinaire, spent her childhood in Maine hiking, swimming, singing, and pianoing. She graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2000 and is currently a percussion performance major at Lawrence University. She is in Wisconsin for no other reason than to study with Dane Richeson. She misses mountains. Anahita is enrolled in the possibility of giving the freedoms of complete nutrition and transformation to the world... Danny Holt, is interested in creative interdisciplinary exploration in the arts. An advocate for new music and experimenting with the performance contexts of classical music, Danny's work as a pianist, composer, and percussionist has been nationally recognized by ASCAP, Yamaha, NFAA, and others. He graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1999 then received his B.A. from Hampshire College. Currently, he is a Teaching Fellow in the music department at Smith College. He likes 7/8 time, 4 against 3, the lowest A on the piano, and the 11/4 measure in The Rite of Spring. Drew Jorgensen, a native of Arkansas, began studying percussion at age 9. The youngest member of the group, Drew joined The Really Hard Rhythm Society in 1999 while a student at Interlochen Arts Academy. After graduating from Interlochen in 2001, Drew attended New England Conservatory, and is currently studying percussion at California Institute of the Arts. As of late, Drew has taken a deep interest in world percussion, particularly that of India, Brazil, and Cuba. His experience in world percussion includes study with Jerry Leake, Jamey Haddad, and Mikael Ringquist. Jonathan Shapiro, (Composer/Percussionist), a 2000 graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music. His teachers include Duncan Patton, Chris Lamb, and Janis Potter. An advocate of new music, Jonathan is a founding member of The Really Hard Rhythm Society and Tactus. He has also performed with the Manhattan Percussion Ensemble, The New Music Consort, and the Manhattan Contemporary Ensemble. He composes principally in the genres of solo and chamber music. James Welsch, a ukulele-player and composer from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, has spent the last four years phasing in and out of various styles of eclectic post-minimalism. He is a 2000 graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy (where, with a group of eccentric friends, he formed The Really Hard Rhythm Society in 1998). He currently studies composition (with composer Chester Biscardi) and ancient literature at Sarah Lawrence College, where he hosts one of WSLC's most popular radio shows: TRAUMMUSIK. In the summers he works as a Green Show minstrel at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Bonnie Whiting, is currently studying percussion at Oberlin Conservatory. An advocate of contemporary music, she is a member of The Really Hard Rhythm Society and also helped to form the Oberlin-based interdisciplinary performance ensemble New Muse. Bonnie is very interested in exploring the flexible boundaries between music and other disciplines and she enjoys collaboration with other artists. Originally from Michigan, Bonnie graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2000. Patrick Wickliffe, studies piano performance and composition at Oberlin Conservatory. A 2000 graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, he has also studied comparative French language and literature. His piano instructors have included Dr. James Johnson, Yoshikazu Nagai, and Robert Shannon, and he has played in master classes with Ursula Oppens and others. His composition instructors include Randolph Coleman, Dr. John Boyle and Dr. Elaine Broad. Patrick served an internship with Opera Omaha, and he has also been an on-air host for KVNO 90.7FM Omaha.