TorQ was formed in 2004 by four young, enthusiastic Toronto-area percussionists looking to add new energy to percussion repertoire and performance. As well as competing as the sole Canadian representative at the Luxembourg International Percussion Quartet Competition, TorQ has performed to much acclaim and standing ovations across Canada, including performances at the Chan Centre, Vancouver (as a feature artist for MusicFest Canada), the Music Gallery (Toronto), and the Open Ears Contemporary Music Festival (Kitchener). Upcoming performance highlights include a concerto performance with the Mississauga Symphony and a solo concert at the Canadian Opera Company's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

TorQ's repertoire ranges from sweetly lyrical mallet quartets to no-holds-barred, high energy percussive show pieces. In addition to performing classic percussion ensemble repertoire, TorQ is committed to commissioning works from emerging Canadian composers. TorQ's first commission, Quartet for Percussion and Multi-Channel Digital Audio from Toronto-based composer Jason Stanford, has become a staple of their repertoire and is an audience favourite. Three other commissions are currently in progress. TorQ is also committed to promoting music education in schools, and has developed a successful educational concert program which has delighted both students and teachers everywhere it has been performed. Most recently, the members of TorQ were Yamaha Percussion Clinicians for MusicFest Nationals in Richmond, BC.

Richard Burrows, Jamie Drake and Dan Morphy all met while studying music at the University of Toronto with Russell Hartenberger, Beverley Johnston and John Rudolph, while Adam Campbell hails from PEI and studied under Ken Shorley and Mark Adam at Acadia University. The members of TorQ are each accomplished musicians in their own right; together they form an incredibly dynamic chamber group. Under the initial guidance of Robin Engelman (NEXUS), they have honed their craft to form an ensemble that is as exciting as it is musical.

For individual member bios, click here.

www.torqpercussion.ca