Gathering Rhythmic Momentum: A Canadian Percussive Story by Kathy Armstrong

Ten minutes into my shared car ride from the Halifax airport, I had been enthusiastically recruited to play in a mass percussion finale at The Space Between III, the third festival from the recently formed Canadian Percussion Network (CPN). I soon came to know that this openness, flexibility and inclusivity was at the heart of the upcoming weekend, hosted by Acadia University in the small town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia.  

The ‘space between’ might suggest a negative division or polarity among people, opinions or viewpoints.  In this case, however, The Space Between is an open invitation for connection and collaboration across research and performance modalities in the field of percussion. It’s also a space to gather percussionists from across Canada, where the vastness of the country and sometimes sparse distribution of population can make networking difficult.

Conceived by Michael Schutz (McMaster University) and Fabrice Marandola (McGill University) at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CPN began as an informal, online gathering place for Canadian percussionists.  

CPN hosted their first in-person festival at McMaster University in 2022, in conjunction with the Ontario Chapter of the PAS. This event brought together dozens of percussionists from five provinces as well as several from the United States. The Space Between II was hosted by McGill University in partnership with the Quebec PAS, and attracted 160 percussionists from across Canada, as well as the U.S., Mexico, Switzerland and Japan.

Hoping to link up the eastern part of the country, The Space Between III was held this past October at Acadia University’s School of Music.  Wolfville is a small town nestled in the Annapolis valley along the shores of the Minas Basin, part of the Bay of Fundy.  A quintessential Canadian experience, the entire event took place in the Festival Theatre, a creatively renovated hockey arena that facilitated small and large performances, research talks, poster sessions and socializing all under one roof. The diversity of presenters and sessions attracted students, performers, researchers, and percussion lovers of all ages and experience. As Mark Adam, Professor of Music at Acadia University’s School of Music marvelled in his opening remarks:

“When organizing this event, I really wondered how many people in this vast country would be able to join us in the small rural Maritime town during the school year. Was I ever surprised to see close to 100 of the most incredible established and up and coming percussionists of not just Canada, but also guests from the United States, joining us. What a wonderful two days of community building, performance, ideas and sharing. The Festival Theatre was a hub of some of the coolest percussion minds around, and I am humbled by everyone who shared this space with us.”

Indeed, the smalltown vibe was present throughout, with many of the faculty, students and staff of the School of Music helping to organize, direct participants, hand out programs, move gear, and participate in some of the sessions. The beautiful surrounding landscape and warm autumn sunshine enhanced the overall experience for the attendees. 

The opening session, entitled “Connecting the Threads: An exploration in community minded rehearsal and performance processes” featured the student percussion ensemble from the University of Manitoba, directed by Victoria Sparks.  They expertly demonstrated how Paul Lansky’s percussion quartet “Threads” could be a structure for developing community-based rehearsal skills, encouraging a variety of group interpersonal dynamics. Opening the Festival with some of our youngest colleagues (and furthest travellers) set the tone for the inclusive and wide-ranging weekend to come. 

Two days of fantastic presentations followed, with sessions ranging from solo and chamber performances, including the incredible partner ensemble Architek Percussion from Montreal, as well as lecture-demos and research poster sessions, all welcomed with enthusiasm by those in attendance.  PAS Past President John R. Beck addressed the topic of interactive group drumming and healthcare research leading a Comfort Sound® Drumming workshop before the final concert. He said “The camaraderie and artistry I experienced at this event was made even more special by the beauty of Canada in October. It was absolutely worth driving 1300 miles with a car full of Remo Tubanos to connect with my percussion colleagues to the north, many of whom I had never met. I came home energized in the same way I do each year at PASIC.”

The closing concert began with Wolfville’s OMBAK Gamelan, the first gamelan ensemble in eastern Canada. Directed by Ken Shorley, a percussion faculty member at Acadia, OMBAK performed traditional and contemporary compositions on a Sundanese degung set of instruments. The concert finale featured a hallmark tradition of The Space Between Festivals, the CPN Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Kristie Ibrahim. A group of nearly 40 percussionists performed two pieces: “Coeur De Tambour” (2018) by Fabrice Marandola, and Tim Brady’s “Pulsations Planétaires” (2018). It was here that I unexpectedly found myself, seated at a hand drum, contributing to unison grooves and trading solos, with tabla and pandeiro on my right, congas on my left and several bass drums and snares behind me. Having initially come to the event as an observer, it was an absolute pleasure to join this final performance, immersing myself in the collective and positive rhythmic energy that percussionists seem to be able to create everywhere. 

The next CPN event is heading west and will take place August 8-10, 2025. The Space Between IV will be hosted by the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Percussionist and UM Percussion Ensemble director, Victoria Sparks looks forward to welcoming all:

“The Desautels Faculty of Music is thrilled to host The Space Between IV, CPN’s 2025 conference. Set in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba—our province famously known as “Friendly Manitoba”—this event embodies the spirit of warmth and collaboration that defines our vibrant percussion community. We are excited to welcome percussionists and researchers to the stunning facilities of the Tache Arts Complex and our brand-new Desautels Concert Hall. At the University of Manitoba, we are dedicated to fostering connections and sharing resources with the national and international percussion community. My students and I eagerly look forward to greeting you all and sharing this unforgettable experience!”

CPN embodies a Canadian sensibility, including bilingual communication and a spirit of inclusivity.  Funding for these events comes from Canada’s Social Science and Humanities Research Council, which allows for all events to be hosted without registration fees. Past online and in-person events have been well documented, creating a repertory of resources that is accessible to everyone.  CPN is committed to promoting work connecting performance and research on percussion, with a particular commitment to three major projects: (1) health & wellbeing, (2) acoustics & perception, (3) percussion literature.   

PAS Hall of Fame Member Russell Hartenberger is a Senior Advisor to CPN, and observes:

“The Space Between, a creation of the Canadian Percussion Network, is a wonderful addition to the international percussion community. As with many things Canadian, it is both unique and inclusive. Those of you who have attended PASIC in Indianapolis will enjoy the fact that TSB festivals occur in informal settings and welcome acoustical environments. The smaller venues allow friendly interaction among participants and easy access to great performers. The concerts, workshops, and research presentations are of the highest calibre, and while there is a strong Canadian component to the festival, the perspective is an international one. The United States and other countries are well represented and percussionists at all levels from student to professional will enjoy the high level of music and the warmth of the camaraderie.”

Future virtual and in-person events are planned (including The Space Between V back at McMaster University in May of 2026), with a focus on linking more percussionists from across Canada, while continuing to welcome and expand international presenters and participants. The Canadian Percussion Network looks forward to welcoming you!