Sympatico Percussion includes five of the country’s most highly respected percussionists and percussion teachers: Scott Herring (South Carolina), Joseph Krygier (Ohio State), Johnny Mendoza (McMurray), Christopher Norton (Belmont) and Susan Powell (Ohio State). The ensemble creates programs with entertainment and intrigue, virtuosity and poignancy, and appealing melodies and vibrant rhythms from around the world. Sympatico’s Southern Exposure concert includes 20th-century icon John Cage’s Third Construction, one of a series of pieces for unorthodox percussion instruments written between 1939-42 as the composer toured the West Coast with a percussion ensemble founded by Cage and Lou Harrison, and the world premiere of John Fitz Rogers’ Under Strange Stars, commissioned by Sympatico Percussion.

The Southern Exposure New Music Series is devoted to exploring the rich variety of contemporary classical and world music written in the past 30 years and masterworks of the 20th century. These free concerts are often standing room only and early arrival is suggested for seating.