@ Percussion Podcast

Josh Quillen has forged a unique identity in the contemporary music world as all-around percussionist, expert steel drum performer (lauded as “softly sophisticated” by the New York Times), and composer. His collaborations with other composers frequently incorporate the steel drums as a core element.A member of the acclaimed ensemble Sō Percussion since 2006, Josh has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Lincoln Center Festival, Stanford Lively Arts, and dozens of other venues in the United States. In that time, Sō Percussion has toured Russia, Spain, Australia, Italy, Germany, and Scotland. He has had the opportunity to work closely with Steve Reich, Steve Mackey, Paul Lansky, David Lang, Matmos, Dan Deacon, and many others.Watch here.  Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 intro and hello 1:19 "Cangelosi" 2:35 A bit of Casey's background 11:50 A bit of Josh's background16:00 Talking to students about orches

Next up on At percussion - a podcast the Chair of Percussion Studies at the University of Washington, Bonnie Whiting! Bonnie is widely known for her performances and commissions of new experimental music, and projects that include new notation, interdisciplinary performance, and especially speaking percussionist.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello.  How was everyone's PASIC?1:39 Bonnie, your involvement in the PAS Diversity Alliance?11:52 A common opposing opinion towards diversity and tokenization.  Thoughts on having more diverse applicant pools.  Thoughts on the importance of representation19:29 Laurel and Bonnie:  Female percussionist + full-time jobs + kids.  How?!26:00 Casey: What's the sound?   Daphne Oram29:52 Daphne Oram's Oramics Machine33:57 Your collaboration with composer Eliza Brown and women in prison.  Upcoming project in Turkmenistan.42:55 Megan: “A Cult

This week we sat down with London-based percussionist Colin Currie!! Colin is a solo and chamber artist at the peak of his powers. Championing new music at the highest level, Colin is the soloist of choice for many of today’s foremost composers and he performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and Hello2:26 Commissions, premiers, and some great composers  9:02 Is there a literature need in percussion?  What is the next contribution composers should make? 11:33 Helen Grime Concerto?13:45 Ben: Jennifer Higdon  25:00 Any starting advice on the business side?  29:34 Milhaud Percussion Concerto33:53 How can a percussionist get past any reservations about being a soloist?  35:47 What are doing practice-wise to keep your chops up? 37:58 Diet on the road and staying healthy? 40:45 Your chamber ensemble

Robert van Sice is considered one of the world’s foremost performers of contemporary music for marimba. In an effort to establish the instrument as a serious artistic vehicle, he has premiered over 100 works throughout the world. Four of the seminal works in the marimba repertoire were written for him: Peter Klatzow’s Dances of Earth and Fire, Alejandro Viñao’s Estudios de Frontera, Martin Bresnick’s double marimba concerto, Grace; and James Wood’s Spirit Festival with Lamentations. Spirit Festival is unique in introducing the newly developed quarter-tone marimba, an innovative instrument recalling the marimba’s ancient sonic routes while establishing new parameters for modern expressionism.Watch here. Listen below.If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and Hello2:23 Teaching and perfomring?  Nessasary to be both?7:00 Job descriptions these days...  Some thoughts on the new generation of students  11:55 Thoughts on  Keiko Abe?13:55

Our guest this week is Dmitrii Nilov, recent winner of the Concert Artist Guild International Competition! Dmitrii is only the second solo percussionist to win this prestigious competition, 15 years after his teacher Svet Stoyanov. He has collaborated with leading composers including Alejandro Viñao, Hannah Lash, and Lansing McLoskey, and recently performed Avner Dorman's double percussion concerto with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestra Carolyn Kuan.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and Hello2:00 The Concert Artist Guild competition3:38 Competing against non-percussionists13:20 Choosing repertoire for a competition29:50 Why did you choose to study abroad in the US?  41:55 Ben: Emmanuel Sejourne

This week's guest is Payton MacDonald - a musician, filmmaker, and cyclist. All of his work centers around exploring the boundaries of art and endurance, whether creating ground-breaking new music, mind-expanding films, pedaling a mountain bike hundreds of miles a day in remote areas, or doing all three at the same time.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:30 Working with Keiko Abe?8:00 Sonic Divide film  17:40 What information did you give the composers that you commissioned?20:00 How has performing outside for "no audience" changed how you perform for a traditional concert hall audience?23:45 Megan: Music in The American Wild project, and other outdoor performers.29:35 When did your passions (percussion, biking, and the outdoors) come together?  How did you prepare?36:20 How has the Sonic Divide changed your prospective on repertoire? How we share experimental music40:55 Your teacher, Michael Udow?

With us for the second time is Matthew Henry, this time telling us all about his PASIC session and updating us on SpecDrum.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello, new Banksy work shredded5:22 Matt Henry PASIC preview7:55 What did you learn by returning to Cuba?19:00 the "Afro-Cuban" term and distinction.28:05 Matt's "Drumming: Cultures of The World" class30:55 Why such a strong interest in hand drumming?36:20 Upcoming PASIC interests for everyone?43:40 Megan: Prison outreach project in KS.53:50 Casey: What's the sound?58:20 SpecDrum since we last talked with Matt, and the new drums.1:08:58 Podcast speed trivia

Joining us this week is composer Robert Honstein.  Robert lives just outside New York City. He co-founded the Sleeping Giant composer collective, co-directs the Times Two Series, and teaches composition at NYU, Steinhardt.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:35  Living Room Music Composer Collective? PASIC12:40 Composer collectives now and in the past15:15 Regarding a commission constortium, how to write a solo for a group vs a single person.  Vibe tinfoil (and some hellos from family in the room)30:30 Buzzing tinfoil and other percussion buzzes.33:06 Casey: The Music Modernization Act1:03:00 Timestwo series?1:08:40 Percussion Concerto coming up in March 2019

Percussionist/improviser Doug Perry blurs the lines of genre and allows musics of all styles and backgrounds to share the same stage.  Doug is a founding member of the jazz/new music crossover group Triplepoint, directing member of video game music jazz/funk band DiscoCactus, and a core member of the mixed chamber ensemble Cantata Profana.  He is also a commissioned composer and faculty member at Western Connecticut State University.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello3:10 What is PAX East?  Performing at PAX?5:30  Merging your joy for gaming with your music?10:50 How has gaming changed composition over the years?19:35 Mario Paint lol25:00 Ben: Peter Klatzow42:14 Tendonitis experience and solutions? Studying voice?

Joining us this week is Ross Karre: a per­cus­sionist, arts admin­is­trator, and inter­media artist. He works with a variety of media and prac­tices ranging from con­tem­po­rary clas­sical music to exper­i­mental mul­ti­media per­for­mance incor­po­rating video, sound, lighting, and the­ater. He has played per­cus­sion with the Inter­na­tional Con­tem­po­rary Ensemble (ICE) since 2011 where he is the co-artistic director.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello, banter and IRS scam4:00 In Plain Air at Christ Church Philadelphia11:14 Co-Artistic Director?19:25 Any tips for people who are hesitent towards contemporary percussion ?26:44 Some thoughts on experimental music31:13 Ben: some recent sad news in percussion: Ellie Mannette & Vida Chenoweth38:40 Casey: What's the sound?  Acoustic Levitation45:35 What has been the most unusal question you've used with the International Contemporary Ensemble?54:54 Podca

Joining us this week is composer and Professor at West Chester University: Adam Silverman.  He's especially known for some of his percussion works, including Quick Blood, Carbon Paper and Nitrogen Ink, Sparklefrog, and stars, cars, bars.  (The title game is strong with this one, no?)He teaches composition, music theory, and orchestration, and runs a site dedicated to his musings of teaching the theoretical side of music at musictheoryprof.com.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:34 Casey: What's the sound?  Prudie Shuffle and RIP ArethaFranklin6:04 Intro and hello to Adam Silverman7:10 Approaching composing for unfamiliar instruments?  18:11 Texture use and approach?20:04 None western scales?  Quarter tones?25:23 Adam's piece, "Stars Cars Bars"32:15 New solo pieces?  Little prog. rock tangent    38:20 How did you get so involved in the percussion community and into

Joining us this week is Dr. David Robinson, the new Director of Bands at Tarleton State University, where Ben currently directs the percussion program. David taught public school in Arkansas for four years before beginning his career in higher education. He studied at Arkansas State University, University of Missouri, and the University of North Texas.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello2:40 New Band Director at Tarleton University.  DMA to job.  10:55 100th year of the Tarleton Band?  12:35 Laurel:  Anatomy of Drumming - Sitting, foot technique.  A bit on Casey's recent travels (Northwestern University Percussion Seminar, Beta Percussion Seminar, Theodore Milkov summer camp)30:03 Best way for a composer to get their work preformed by a wind ensemble?34:00 Ben: Vincent Persichetti: “Symphony No. 6 For Band,“ Op. 69.  Percussion writing in wind ensemble.  57:15 G

Our next guest is Robert Chapman, recent first prize winner of the 2018 Great Plains International Marimba Competition! Robert is an active educator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and has studied with Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, Ed Smith, She-e Wu, and Tom Burritt, among others. He also takes an interest in world music, having pursued studies in steel pan and tabla.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello3:25 Great Plains Marimba Competition.  Preparation, and experience at the competition.9:09 Copyrightist at Lonestar?13:30 Casey: what's the sound? Anechoic Chamber19:50 Balancing your teaching and performing? Burnout31:10 World music influence on your marimba playing?44:25 Megan: NPR's Hidden Brain - The Edge Effect.  Study shows correlation between creativity and cultural diversity.1:01:48 Podcast Speed Trivia

Joining us this week is percussionist Lynn Vartan, Director of Percussion at Southern Utah University. A common thread in her various projects is the idea of cultural exchange, whether she is founding duos or engaging in other large scale projects. She is featured on several Grammy-nominated CDs. Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello4:40 Influence of Evelyn Glennie?  Visual performance persona and look.  15:30 Your signature mallets20:50 Laurel: The Lemming Conspiracy41:30 APEX - Lynn's podcast at the Southern Utah University51:05 Into yoga?53:30 Working with Michael Colgrass?57:13 Approach to running percussion ensemble rehearsal?  Balance, being efficient, economy of words.  1:02:13 Podcast Speed Trivia

Our guest this week hardly needs an introduction from us.  We really enjoyed speaking with William Moersch on topics old and new.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:30 NYC freelancer?  Pirates of Penzance11:50 Percussion Literature class19:20 Ben: Jonathan Hass37:44 Being an advocate for percussion50:03 Knowing what you don't know.  Being able to say "yes", and some advice58:05 Will Marinelli:  How have you seen Andrew Thomas' work change since you've started working together?1:05:50 Studying with Charlie Owen?1:14:28 Podcast Speed Trivia

While in Ghana, Megan sat down with Jerome Balsab and Emmanuel Agbeli, two master musicians and directors of the Dagara Music Center and Dagbe Cultural Institute, respectively.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:32 Jerome’s history playing the gyil5:26 Bernard and Jerome’s history9:13 Bernard’s final weeks23:04 Saakumu Dance Troupe’s U.S. tours28:26 Wrap32:24 History of Dagbe Cultural Institute40:34 Godwin’s passing and legacy43:21 Description of the Dagbe grounds45:09 Agbeli family tree55:03 Sankofa Roots I, II, III59:21 Art and farming1:03:02 Wrap

Joining us this week is Principal Percussionist of the Calgary Philharmonic: Josh Jones. Originally from Chicago, he has won several orchestral fellowships and is currently writing a series of books about streamlined playing with ease. The first is 'Spatial Studies,' available for pre-order on July 15, and for purchase on September 1.Josh was featured on UPROXX's Uncharted series, he also has released a series of educational videos you can find on his website: drummojo.com. Watch here.  Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello, and a bit about the Josh's new book series12:25 Brandon Arvay: Using social media, it's value? 14:50 Casey: What's the sound?  29:30 Application of Alexander Technique?  Feldenkrais Method 39:34 Laurel: Anatomy of Drumming (book) by John Lamb - part 258:40 Drew Tucker and Teddy Hall Jr.: Do you feel a certain weight being an African American in the orchestra? 

Joining us this week is James Doyle, Associate Professor of Music at Adams State University, where he directs the Rocky Mountain Pan Handlers Steel Band and the ASU Percussion Ensemble. He previously served as principal percussionist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. James is a member of the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra and is the principal percussionist with the San Juan Symphony. As a chamber musician, he's a member of the Doyle-Kane Duo, the Kokoro Trio, and the Animas Percussion Quartet.  He has also toured the world performing more commercial music.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and Hello0:50 Megan back from 3 weeks in Ghana6:30 James Doyle introduction7:50 100 days of practice?  Summer practice time11:41 Practice journals13:50 Casey: What's the sound?24:27 Programming and composer diversity41:10 Caleb: Experiments in work environment productivity1:02:05 Work

Katy Elman runs the largest percussion retailer in the UK (instruments, sticks/mallets, sheet music etc.): Southern Percussion, located in southeast England, in Essex.Also a very active performer and educator, Katy performs with the Concordia Foundation with whom she has performed several solo recitals at venues, including St. Martin in the Fields and St. James’s Piccadilly. She also works extensively with Concordia’s Educational program taking workshops and playing an integral part in the children’s productions of The Rhythm of Life and The Spotted Cow and the Piano Forte. She has been the focus for a BBC documentary and performed live on BBC radio 3. Currently Katy is a member of the Aurelian Ensemble and very much in demand as a guest timpanist and percussionist with several orchestras based in London and the Home Counties.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and Hello1:50 How's business?5:10 How could a young compose

We are excited that joining us this week is New Zealand composer John Psathas.  John is a favorite among percussionists, with his commission roster including powerhouse performers Evelyn Glennie, Ju Percussion, and Pedro Carneiro. His music was heard by billions in 2004 when he composed music for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics.  Watch here. Listen below.  If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 intro and hello1:53 By the beach and a special "View" 3:50 Settling in New Zealand  7:23 Collaborative process when unfamiliar with the artist?11:33 Writing process 17:28 Writing for the player's ease vs not.  22:50 Timpani works and solo timpani?   33:00 Laurel: Anatomy of Drumming (book)49:27 Dave Weckl influence?53:00 Ben: Evelyn Glennie 1:05:00 Recent work with Piano Circus?  How do you choose who you collaborate with?1:08:25 Online, and not just sharing the best ex