Seven Pillars at String Theory

Sandbox Percussion, recognized for their adventurous programming and precision, returns to String Theory with Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars. The New York Times called it a “lush, brooding celebration of noise.” The work garnered two Grammy Award nominations and a Pulitzer Prize in Music nomination. Akiho and Sandbox Percussion’s collaboration evolved over nearly eight years through their close creative partnership. The piece contains seven ensemble movements plus individual solo movements for each ensemble member. It fuses traditional percussion instruments (vibraphone, glockenspiel, marimba) with found sounds (glass bottles, metal pipes), challenging the performers’ virtuosity and expressiveness. The performance includes flashing lights.