New CSULB Percussion Program Website

At the beginning of the month, I created a new website for the CSULB Percussion Program. I wanted a place where I could post photos, videos and stories about the percussion program. I also wanted a place to reach out to our community and let people know about all of the great concerts and events that are going on in the percussion program. It has been a great semester! We wrapped up the year with our annual Caribbean Holiday Celebration concert with guest artist Liam Teague. I will post a recap to the entire semester in the coming weeks. Until then, please check out the...

Tumblr Update

I am not sure if I am the only one still using a RSS reader to consume content on the web. For me, it is the easiest way to read new content. If you have no idea what I am talking about, head over to Wikipedia for a quick recap. Once you find some RSS feeds that you are interested in, a RSS Reader is a handy tool that collects new articles and collates them into a central place so you can read them. On my iPhone/iPad, I prefer to use an app called Newsify. I like the interface and sharing possibilities that this app offers. One of the problems that I have discovered is...

Technology in the Modern Percussion Stud...

We are all bombarded with technology everyday. Laptops, smartphones, tablets, and recording devises have had a positive impact on the way I teach lessons. It seems like everyday there is a new app, device or service that promises to change the world. Without going into a debate about which platforms are better, I am going to detail how I use technology in my percussion studio. I hope this article will lead to a discussion about what others are using in their classroom. Obviously, this post doesn’t apply to only percussionists and it will be great to hear what other...

PASIC 2013 – Thursday Recap

My morning started off with a visit to the exhibits. I can’t imagine a PASIC without a trip to the exhibits and the Steve Weiss booth. After a quick visit to the booths, I went to see the Michigan State Percussion Ensemble. They preformed the entire program from memory including Rain Tree and Xenakis’ Peaux. (For a complete listing of all of the College Percussion Concerts, check out the post I wrote on DrumChattr.com). After this performance I attended a Brazilian clinic by Marcos Santos and Grooversity. He introduced Brazilian rhythms to the audience in a...

PASIC 2013 – Wednesday Recap

It is Wednesday night and PASIC is in full swing. Today was a travel day and I arrived in Indy around 6pm. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the Technology Focus Day hosted by Blair Helsing. The evening concert featured performances by “Emerging Artists.” Some of the highlights included: Stop Speaking by Andy Akiho Performed by Gordon Hicken fzzi by Dan van Hassel Performed by Joseph van Hassel Songs I-IX by Stuart Saunders Smith Performed by Gene Koshinski Rogosanti by James Wood Performed by Garrett Mendelow The weather is extremely cold (as you...

Snare Drum Warm Ups

As an educator and professional performer, I have noticed that over the years, my practice time has decreased for one reason or another. I have also noticed that the older I get, the harder it is for me start playing without first warming up. This summer, I decided to sit down and write out a snare drum warm ups/routine that I could do every day that would take 10-15 minutes. Today, I want to present my warm-up and talk about each exercise that comprises the warm-up. I know there are a ton of other warm-ups that have been posted and written down (see below for a brief...

Teaching Musicality to Percussionists

Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why young percussionists are not being taught musicality? Why is this and how can we fix it? My wife is a flute teacher and she teaches musicality to kids in 6 grade. So why is that percussionists get to college and don’t know the basics about shaping a line? Here are some of my beliefs as to why students don’t get taught about musicality: 1) Percussionists don’t learn a mallet instrument until high school. 2) High school percussionists don’t study mallet instruments with a private teachers. 3)...

Weekly Twitter Updates – May 2013

May came and went so fast! It was the end of my first full year of the running the CSULB Percussion Program and I am proud of all of the accomplishments that my students achieved throughout the year. (More on this topic in a percussion recap).  I didn’t post much on Twitter this month, but I know that will change in the coming months. Highlights of the month include a Beverly Hills Bat Mitzvah with the LB Ballet (really!), a percussion master class at Cal Poly Ponoma, and a performance of Gershwin with the LBSO. Summer is around the corner and it is time to reflect...

Biden enjoyed the sweet sound of the Ste...

On May 28, US Vice President Joe Biden “applauded the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force which serenaded him and his family with the sweet sound of the steel pan upon his arrival in Trinidad last night.” (StabroekNews.com). Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar presented a steel pan to the Vice President that was made at Gill’s Pan Shop in Curepe. In 2009, President Obama was presented with a tenor pan made by Panland, based in Laventille. He also purchased two mini pans for his daughters. For the complete story, please visit Trinidad and Tobago Newday....

Composers Circle

On Sunday, my new triangle solo Pitch Drop was featured on Composers Circle. If you are unfamiliar with this site, it features one composer a day and has been around for about a year. You can easily lose a lot of time listening to all of the music that is featured on the site. Thanks to Eric Guinivan for creating such an incredible resource for composers and performers. COMPOSERS CIRCLE one day. one composer. one discovery.