Third Coast Percussion (TCP) is a GRAMMY® Award-winning Chicago-based percussion quartet and GRAMMY®-nominated composer collective and is the first percussion ensemble ever to win the revered music award. For nearly 20 years, the ensemble has created exciting and unexpected performances that constantly redefine the classical music experience and “push percussion in new directions, blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners” (NPR), with a brilliantly varied sonic palette and “dazzling rhythmic workouts” (Pitchfork).

TCP maintains a busy tour schedule, having performed in 40 of the 50 states, plus international tours across four continents. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the ensemble is embarking on the most ambitious collaborative projects of their career, with some of the world’s leading musicians, choreographers and composers. TCP has commissioned and premiered new works by, among others, Philip Glass, Missy Mazzoli, Jlin, plus many of today’s leading up-and-coming composers through their Currents Creative Partnership program. In 2023, Jlin’s Perspective, commissioned by TCP, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. They served as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center from 2013-2018, and currently serve as ensemble-in-residence at Denison University.

TCP’s recordings include 17 feature albums and appearances on 14 additional releases. In 2017 the ensemble won the GRAMMY® Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for their recording of Steve Reich’s works for percussion. TCP has since received five additional GRAMMY® nominations as performers and in 2021 received their first GRAMMY® nomination as composers.

TCP has maintained strong ties to the vibrant artistic community in their hometown of Chicago. They have collaborated with institutions including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Uniting Voices Chicago Choir and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

The four members of Third Coast Percussion (Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin and David Skidmore) met while studying percussion at Northwestern University with Michael Burritt and James Ross, and formed the ensemble in 2005. Members also hold degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Rutgers University, New England Conservatory and the Yale School of Music.

Ian Ding, Guest Percussionist

Ian Ding is a versatile and in-demand percussionist specializing in contemporary & orchestral music. He is a founding member and co-director of New Music Detroit, a member of the Fulcrum Point New Music Project (Chicago), and the Virgil Moorefield Band (Zurich). He serves on the percussion faculty at the DePaul University School of Music. He is a frequent guest with major orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. He has also performed extensively with new music ensembles Bang on a Can All-Stars and Alarm Will Sound. Ian was Assistant Principal Percussionist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and served as Lecturer of Percussion at the University of Michigan. Ian is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the Juilliard School.

Website: https://thirdcoastpercussion.com