Kenneth McGrath and Robert Slack, percussion

 Percussionist Kenneth McGrath regularly performs with many of Southern California’s leading ensembles. With the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, and San Diego Symphony he has toured throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition, he has contributed to many recordings and broadcasts including John Adam’s Naïve and Sentimental Music (world premiere), Le Sacre du Printemps, and Gustavo Dudamel-Los Angeles Philharmonic: The Inaugural Concert. Ken also appears frequently with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and serves as section percussionist with New West Symphony. His work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group has included concerts at Lincoln Center, the Ojai Music Festival, and the Green Umbrella Series. He has been actively involved with numerous touring ballet companies including American Ballet Theater, Bolshoi Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, and San Francisco Ballet. In 2008, Kenneth commissioned, performed, and recorded the world premiere of William Kraft’s Encounters XIII: Concertino for Percussion & Woodwind Quintet with Southwest Chamber Music. He can be heard on motion picture soundtracks by composers including John Williams, John Powell, Danny Elfman, and Hans Zimmer and has also played on national touring productions of Wicked, Curtains, The Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera.

Robert Slack is a leading Timpanist/Percussionist in the Southern California area. Winner of a national audition for a percussion position in the Pacific Symphony in 1990, he then became the Principal Percussionist in 1992. In addition to his work with the Pacific Symphony, he has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony having recently performed on their tour to China, Opera Pacific, the Long Beach Symphony, and in many Ballet performances at the Los Angeles Music Center, the Kodak Theater, and other L.A. venues. Major performances with ballet orchestras include the American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet of Russia, Royal Danish Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Kirov Ballet, and Miami Ballet. Broadway show productions include The Car Man, (based on Carmen) Annie, Evita, Fosse, and others. Previous to his position with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Slack held positions as Timpanist with the Nassau Symphony on Long Island and Assistant Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Naples, Florida Philharmonic.