Leading International Composers: Michael Torke

Leading International Composers: Michael Torke opens Phillips Music’s 86th Season Leading International Composers series with Sandbox Percussion, a Grammy-nominated quartet devoted to contemporary chamber music. The program centers on Torke’s *BLOOM* (2024), whose precisely layered minimalist patterns explore the color and energy of percussion. Torke will attend the concert and discuss his music.

Sandbox Percussion’s members have performed internationally and worked to expand the percussion repertoire through collaborations with leading composers and artists. Torke, born in 1961, has been commissioned by major orchestras, opera companies, ballet organizations, and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, English National Opera, and the Walt Disney Company. He was also composer-in-residence with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

When: Sunday, October 18, 2026

Showtimes: 4–6 PM

Venue: The Phillips Collection

Format: In-person Sunday Concert

Program: Michael Torke’s *BLOOM* (2024), comprising “Bloom 1, morning,” “Bloom 1, noon,” “Bloom 1, night,” “Stem 1,” “Bloom 2, morning,” “Bloom 2, noon,” “Bloom 2, night,” “Stem 2,” “Bloom 3, morning,” “Bloom 3, noon,” and “Bloom 3, night.”

Performers: Sandbox Percussion, featuring Ian Rosenbaum, Jonny Allen, Terry Sweeney, and Victor Caccese.

Run time: The concert is scheduled from 4 to 6 PM and is performed without intermission.

Composer appearance: Michael Torke will be present to discuss his music.

Tickets: Price not available. Limited rush tickets are offered depending on availability beginning at 4 PM on the Friday before the concert, with in-person, online, or phone requests. Limited standby tickets are available first come, first served through in-person requests beginning at 3 PM on the day of the concert in the admissions lobby.

About Sandbox Percussion: The ensemble was formed in 2011 by Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney. It is a Grammy-nominated percussion quartet recognized for championing living composers, contemporary chamber music, and multidisciplinary collaborations. The group has received an Avery Fisher Career Grant, teaches and holds ensemble-in-residence positions at several institutions, and has collaborated with composers including Andy Akiho, Viet Cuong, Christopher Cerrone, and Kris Bowers.