Photo by Nicole Vertigan
By Pia Stokes
Previously hosted on Susquehanna’s campus in 2013, Taikoza returned on Friday, Sept. 23 in Weber Chapel Auditorium for a thrilling experience. From the start of their performance, to the very end, the energy that the group had was prominent. The performance was authentic and unique.
The term “Taiko” translates to “big drums” and that is exactly what was featured on stage. These beautiful large drums took up the stage as the group effortlessly created music with them. Taikoza draws on Japan’s rich legacy of music and performance to develop a highly visual experience with colorful costumes and dynamic motion. As well as the drums, they used bamboo flutes to complement the drums and create a beautiful sound.
This group emphasized their drumming by using grandiose arm and leg movements. They provided energy and excitement to the crowd with their powerful rhythms and intense moves. The entire auditorium was thumping and shaking during their performance.
Taikoza has performed in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall and House of Music, Osaka Festival Hall, and Lincoln Center. They have also toured internationally and have appeared on ESPN, NBC, and The History Channel, and have been nominated five times for Best Asian Music by the Japan Foundation Awards.
The Artist Series of Susquehanna “seeks to encourage an aesthetic appreciation of diverse cultures as well as the artistic heritage of humankind.” Performances, like Taikoza, are often linked in ways that advance engagement in the classroom.