Previous Artist-in-Residence: Colin Currie

Percussionist Colin Currie began his three-year tenure as the Oregon Symphony's Artist-in-Residence in September 2015. Through the 2017/18 Season, Colin returned annually to perform with the Oregon Symphony and to serve as the organization's ambassador-at-large, helping the Symphony share the joy of music with as wide and as diverse a population as possible. In addition to Colin's many free public appearances, he performed the West Coast premiere of Andrew Norman's new percussion concerto Switch. While in town he also worked with students in the Portland Youth Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and reconnected with students at St. Mary's Home for Boys in a unique performance and Q&A session.

A highlight of Colin's residency last season was his work within an ensemble of the Oregon Symphony's percussion section. This was a special treat for the audience at the newly opened Nordia House (Scandinavian Heritage Foundation headquarters). As a result of a unique partnership between the Oregon Symphony and Intel, the audience also heard a new composition by OSO percussionist Sergio Carreno, which featured the Oregon Symphony percussionists performing on experimental wireless technology, enabling music to be made solely with hand movements rather than traditional instruments.

The first week of April 2018, Colin Currie returned to perform a percussion concerto with the Oregon Symphony and continue his work in the community. His residency included master classes and discussions at university campuses around the state, performances for local community groups, a solo recital at Portland Japanese Garden, and three concerts with the Oregon Symphony.

About Colin Currie

Recognized for his “athletic percussionism, compulsive showmanship and deep musicality”(The Guardian), Colin Currie is a solo and chamber artist at the peak of his powers. Championing new music at the highest level, he is the soloist of choice for many of today’s foremost composers and he performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. 

Full bio

The Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored by Cliff & Karen Deveney.