soloist
Solo Marimba, Concerto, Percussion Artist
Rod is an experienced soloist giving concerts on solo marimba, vibraphone and/or multiple percussion. His repertoire ranges from transcriptions of classical music to contemporary works, and tailors his concert programming to fit the preferences of his audiences.
He is available now for concert bookings.
Solo Marimba
Rod is an experienced solo marimbist with a diverse repertoire of music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary eras. He is known especially for his original transcriptions of music written for other instruments by composers such as J.S. Bach, John Dowland, Isaac Albeniz, Claude Debussy, Chick Corea, and many more.
His programming ranges from light classics to contemporary repertoire and creates custom programs to fit audience preferences.
He performs with an expressive, emotive and energetic style that invites audiences inside the spirit of the music.
Concerto
Rod is has performed numerous solo concerti with orchestras as well as wind ensembles. He is particularly well known for his interpretations of Ney Rosauro‘s marimba concerto, which he has recorded to critical acclaim.
His repertoire also includes concerti for multiple percussion and timpani, and continues to expand with this ever growing canon.
He commands the stage with a powerful presence that realizes the full effect of the music.
Percussion Artist
His solo repertoire is not limited to the marimba. He gives concerts and recitals that include works for solo vibraphone, multiple percussion, snare, drum and timpani – the full range of percussion instruments.
This repertoire, of course, is more contemporary as compared to much of his solo marimba repertoire, and aligns well with new music concert programming.
Rod’s repertoire also includes a growing set of his own original compositions, giving his performances a personal connection that resonates with audiences.
Bio
Rod Thomas Squance is recognized as one of Canada’s most exciting musicians. A stunning soloist, Rod captivates audiences with his perfect blend of compelling musicianship, sparkling technique, and exotic sound. He has performed with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project, Paquito de Rivera, Dong-Won Kim, Kojiro Umezaki, Yu Hongmei and Prafulla Athalye.
Rod has appeared on national radio and television, solo recitals and with many orchestras. Classically trained, Rod also plays jazz vibraphone, Balinese gender wayang and Indian classical music. He currently teaches at the University of Calgary.
See complete bio in the Soloist Media Kit page.
His programming ranges from light classics to contemporary repertoire and creates custom programs to fit audience preferences.
Repertoire
Solo Marimba
Transcriptions of works for other instruments
Isaac Albéniz Asturias
Isaac Albeniz Cordoba
Isaac Albeniz Mallorca
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 4 in Eb Major
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 5 in C Minor
J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major
J.S. Bach Lute Suite No. 3 in G Minor
Chick Corea Children’s Songs
Claude Debussy Arabesque No. 1
Carlo Domeniconi Koyunbaba
John Dowland Lachrimae: Flow My Tears
Solo Marimba
Transcriptions with piano accompaniment
Camille Saint-Saëns Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Fritz Kreisler Tambourin Chinois
Vittorio Monti Czárdás
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov Flight of the Bumblebee
see also repertoire under “Concerti”
Concerti
J.S. Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor
Christos Hatzis Tongues of Fire
David Maslanka Concerto for Marimba
Darius Milhaud Concerto for Marimba and Vibraphone
Darius Milhaud Concerto for Percussion
Ney Rosauro Concerto No. 1 for Marimba
Ney Rosauro Concerto No. 2 for Marimba
Ney Rosauro Concerto No. 1 for Vibraphone
Solo Marimba
Works composed for marimba
Keiko Abe Dream of the Cherry Blossoms
Keiko Abe Frogs
Keiko Abe Memories of the Seashore
Keiko Abe Michi
Keiko Abe Prism
Keiko Abe Wind in the Bamboo Grove
Michael Burritt October Night
Alfred Fissinger Suite for Marimba
David Maslanka My Lady White
David Maslanka Variations on Lost Love
Joseph Schwantner Velocities
Eric Sammut Four Rotations for Marimba
Leigh Howard Stevens Rhythmic Caprice
Solo Marimba
Compositions for marimba with piano accompaniment
William Cahn In Ancient Temple Gardens
Clair Omar Musser Scherzo Caprice
see also repertoire under “Concerti”
Solo Vibraphone
Antonio Carlos Jobim (arr. Burton) Chega De Saudade
Ney Rosauro Prelude and Blues
Multiple Percussion, Snare Drum and Timpani
William Cahn Nara
Elliott Carter Eight Pieces for Four Timpani
Mitch Markovich Stamina
Rod Thomas Squance Sonata for Timpani
Karlheinz Stockhausen Zyklus
Iannis Xenakis Psappha
He commands the stage with a powerful presence that realizes the full effect of the music.
Recordings
The following tracks are from Rod’s solo marimba album, Koyunbaba: The Transcriptions. All tracks on this album are Rod’s original transcriptions of works originally written for other instruments, including piano, guitar and lute. Repertoire includes four of Chick Corea’s Children’s Songs, J.S. Bach’s Lute Suite No. 3 in G Minor, Isaac Albeniz’s Cordoba and Mallorca, Carlo Domeniconi’s Koyunbaba, and John Dowland’s Lachrimae.
These tracks are from Zeugma: improvisations spontané, Rod’s collaboration with Michalis Andronikou, playing the bouzouki, a Greek plucked lute. The album is the fruit of two days recording sessions of spontaneous, unplanned duo improvisations. The result is a beautiful collection of pieces for listening.
Contact
Please send me a message, I’d love to hear from you. Click on the button below to go to the contact page where you can send me a message.