@ Percussion Podcast

Joining us this week is The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps' snare drum section leader and percussion arranger Mark Reilly. In addition to his performance/military career, Mark regularly presents clinics on Swiss and American rudimental drumming, chairs the PAS Marching Committee, and has been involved in many Military Tattoos abroad.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello5:17  What's new, Mark?6:40  Taking the Corp overseas?  The Old Guard8:45  The Basel Tattoo?11:45  How do drum and fife traditions vary around the US, and the world?18:00  Starting very young.18:45  Casey: Ligeti and Fluxus35:19  International rudimental drumming scene?  Some of Mark's favorite drummers43:12  How did rudimental drumming spread?47:35  Megan: Company of Fifers and Drummers52:50  Competitions and what judges look for?  54:10  Experience

Joining us this week is the founder and builder of Marimba One instruments.  He uses his classical pianist ear and reverence for fine wood to craft an ideal sound.We talk about why he started building marimbas, the current state of rosewood as an endangered species, and changing global trade regulations that affect instrument building.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello2:15  how did you start building marimbas?4:15  early obsticals in starting the company?6:11  Why not use round tubes on your low end?8:26  "Basso Bravo" vs the traditional resonators?16:50  Taking care of our marimbas? How long until retuning?24:00  Ben:   The state of rosewood45:20  Special build requests?51:50  The new Marimba One vibraphone1:02:42  Marimba One mallets?

Joining us this week is Rebecca Kite, whom, with a lifetime of achievements behind her, isn't slowing down any time soon.  We chat about her experience researching and writing her book about Keiko Abe and the history of marimba, as well as her new Kite Percussion Pedagogy Project. She will reveal the findings and analysis of the Kite Percussion Pedagogy Project at PASIC 2017.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello.2:56  New video recordings and doing it yourself7:50  The importance of making video/audio recordings today?12:35  The Keiko Abe book.30:00  Marimba still progressing today.34:15   Ben: Clair Omar Musser.  Some chat on marimba orchestras.49:45  Developments of percussion ensemble around 196052:45  Rebecca's Pedagogy Project (will be at PASIC 2017)

Joining us this week is Valerie Naranjo, gyil virtuoso, composer, percussionist for SNL and college instructor.  In addition to being taught by some of percussion's biggest names, she is also responsible for liberating women as gyil players in Ghana: they were previously not allowed to play the instrument. Speaking with her was a delightful experience. Her warmth and sweet spirit is evident.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello.  RIP Composer David Maslanka3:03  iTrump lawsuit7:50  Valerie Naranjo intro, current projects?10:47  Gyil Concerto with the Ghana National Symphony?13:40  Explaining Gyil21:30  How to approach West African Drumming with limited resources29:45  Wula Drum & Dance Retreat35:55  You liberated the Gyil for women in the Dagara Nation, how do you feel about the current debates/conflicts surrounding Charlottesville VA?50:50  Megan: Dagb

We're joined this week by Peter Soroka, recent DMA graduate from FSU and winner of a position with "Pershing's Own" US Army Band.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello. Casey recording Ligeti's Poème Symphonique For 100 Metronomes6:20  intro and hello to Peter Soroka11:20  Going to FSU, John Parks, preparing for jobs16:50  Peter, please tell us about your experience going through MEPS?23:10  Laurel: PAS Committees36:03  Casey: about "um...ah...like..." speech fillers52:55  Peter's audition day

We're joined this week by John Beck: member of PAS Hall of Fame, recipient of PAS Outstanding Service Award, alongside several Lifetime Achievement Awards.  He's now Professor Emeritus at Eastman, where he taught for 49 years. Even after a lifetime of work, he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello. 2:05  JB's History of Percussion class4:45  "Percussion Matters"10:30  Some of your current projects?13:40  Enjoying playing.  People person. 17:45  Online course?  Mastermind Lounge21:30  Facebook: did you ever experience "burnout"?25:40  Facebook: what's the key to the percussion world being sustainable?32:44  University: Admin., adjunct instructors, costs. 46:15  Quickly on the military band48:35  Facebook:  Steve Gadd and Sonata for Timpani?53:14  Facebook:  Advice to new university pr

This week we're joined by Evan Chapman, who has developed a reputation as photographer, videographer, percussionist, and composer.  His quartet, Square Peg Round Hole, has released two albums.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00  intro and hello1:11  Megan, how's Interlochen? Welcome Eli Geruschat, how's the Percussion Coordinator gig?6:37  Any specific band or artists that inspired the music of Square Peg Round Hole?9:48  Youtube12:30  How did you start recording for other people?15:40  How has recording others affected how you now record yourself?18:13  Ben: Thierry De Mey22:54  Evan & Casey on performing/recording Thierry De Mey28:06  Starter's list of audio & video gear?32:30  DSLR vs dedicated camcorders?37:07  Megan: Sound baths47:00  Casey: Sound treatment ideas, some history.58:10  How did you get the job as touring drummer for Lydia?1:01:50

Joining us this week is Paul Rennick: Assistant Professor in Percussion at the University of North Texas, and Percussion Caption Head/Arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro & Hello3:06 Writing lately9:50 Convincing students of the fundamentals? Teaching ideas.22:25 How the marching side and concert side blend.33:20 How do you see DCI & WGI changing the activity? Where/how does Vanguard fit into this? Digital and theatrical additions47:03 Casey - The President's "New Microphone" - News report.52:07 Ben - Bob Becker1:00:43 Working with Sandi, and thanks from Paul

Our excitement and enjoyment of sitting down for a 90-minute interview with composer Jennifer Higdon was cut short when we realized that, after signing off, a technical error caused us to lose the bulk of the interview.  We managed to save the last few minutes, and have her permission to release them.In this short clip, Jennifer speaks about her piece, Blue Cathedral.  Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element