We are thrilled to be part of the faculty at Mannes School of Music and to serve as an Ensemble-in-Residence at The New School, continuing our work with the students and community of Mannes. As members of Sandbox Percussion, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney bring four distinct perspectives and areas of expertise to the percussion program, creating a unique opportunity for students to work closely with each member of the ensemble throughout their studies.

Students at Mannes have access to all four members of Sandbox Percussion for private lessons, chamber music coachings, masterclasses, workshops, and collaborative performances. This variety gives students the opportunity to receive consistent feedback from multiple artists while developing a broad range of skills as performers, collaborators, and creative professionals, preparing them for the many paths a career in music can take. Working with members of an active professional ensemble also gives students the opportunity to engage directly with artists who are performing, commissioning, and developing new music at the highest level.

Our work at Mannes extends beyond individual lessons and rehearsals. Throughout the academic year, Sandbox Percussion offers workshops, masterclasses, forums, and performances, creating opportunities for students across The New School to engage with contemporary music and percussion. We are particularly excited to bring our annual Sandbox Percussion Summer Seminar to Mannes, welcoming students from across the country and around the world for an intensive period of study, rehearsal, and performance. The Summer Seminar gives students the opportunity to work directly with Sandbox Percussion and other leading artists while preparing and performing some of today’s most exciting percussion chamber music.

Our presence at Mannes reflects the way Sandbox Percussion works as an ensemble: collaboratively, creatively, and with a deep commitment to the development of new music and the next generation of performers. We are grateful for the opportunity to make The New School a home for our teaching and to share our experience as performing artists with the students of Mannes.