Infinitus, a beatboxing string trio is quickly becoming one of North America's premier chamber groups. They are known for their unique sound and upbeat performance style.
Infinitus will be playing at the Grace United Church on Monday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Weyburn Concert Series.
Although initially a string quartet, the group became a trio in 2008. John Littlejohn and twins Alex and Anthony Cheung were classmates at the University of Michigan School of Music. They quickly became friends and were roommates. Although they went their separate ways for graduate school, they reunited at John's wedding in 2005. The string trio have been playing together since 2006.
That year, a hotel room in Terrace, BC was the turning point in the unique stylings of Infinitus. The trio were playing an educational tour with a hip-hop medley, and felt it was missing something.
"It was a little flat. We thought, why don't we add a beat to this music? If it doesn't work, we can just laugh it off and never speak of it again," said John, the violinist of the group, in a phone interview from his home in Vancouver.
It worked. Beatboxing was incorporated into their act.
"We were not really wanting to be different, but we already were," he said.
The group has performed throughout North America presenting community performances, soloing with orcherstras and conducting master classes, workshops and seminars.
Infinitus is dedicated to quality outreach, performing in schools, nursing homes, juvenile detention centres and hospitals.
The Infinitus Saskatchewan tour includes 14 communities in just over two weeks time.
"We always love coming to Saskatchewan. People are so nice, we're blown away by the people," said John. "We're looking forward to coming to Saskatchewan."
With a repertoire featuring classical standards and original jazz/hip hop arrangements and compositions, Infinitus has been featured on CBC, National Public Radio, OMNI Television and in numerous publications.
"...it's amazing the musical concoctions these three award winning musicians can cook up with just a violin, viola, cello and some vocalizations," states the Vancouver Sun.
Advance tickets are $24 for adult and $9 for children and are available at Superior Office Products. Ticket prices at the door are $27 for adults and $12 for children.
Infinitus can be found on Twitter and Facebook as well as their website infinitusmusic.com.
