The @Percussion Podcast

The @Percussion - Episode 102 Morris Palter

102 - Morris Palter

We're joined this week by the hilarious and talented (hilariously talented?) Morris Palter.  His contributions to the modern rep of percussion are numerous, and his approach to work, hard work, and dedication are welcome and needed.

He's currently teaching at the University of Arizona after building a great program at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 intro and hello
7:08 Working with Pierre Boulez
11:14 Why release the new album on vinyl only? Rags?
21:50 John Conway's "Game of Life"
31:07 New Music Committee at PAS?
44:50 Laurel: Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning"
51:45 Value of interest
1:08:10 Corigliano's Percussion Concerto
1:12:33 Vinko Globokar's "Toucher"
1:16:30 Studying at UCSD and Steven Schick?
1:22:13 Biking in AZ vs AK?

 

The @Percussion - Episode 101 Gene Koshinski

101 - Gene Koshinski

This week's guest, Gene Koshinski, is a performer, composer and educator, teaching at The University of Minnesota Duluth.  He has performed worldwide, receiving awards as player and composer throughout his career.

Recent notable publications are his method book TWO, a guide to two-mallet technique and practice, and his Concerto for Marimba and Choir.  He has also commissioned great composers such as John Luther Adams, Alejandro Vinao, Stuart Saunders Smith, and others.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 intro and hello
1:30 Summer, projects, kids.
5:25 Maximizing practice time
8:00 Gene's book, "TWO" currently
10:57 Some favorite two-mallet rep.?
13:33 Gene's new snare drum solo
16:20 Ben: "When Snare Drum gets Weird" 5 orchestra pieces that use snare drum in unusual ways.
22:03 How to "get started" composing?
30:15 Writing for other instruments and the unfamiliar?
33:45 Quey Duo
39:00 Megan: Make Music NY Day
45:07 State of Minnesota percussion community? Music education in Minnesota
52:40 Where are you finding your inspiration?
54:20 PAS Competition Committee?

The @Percussion - Episode 100 - 100th !

100 - 100th Episode Special

Well, we made it to 100 episodes! And we haven't run out of guests or things to talk about. In this episode we recap a little, talk about our favorite moments, and wax poetic on music, art, and life.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 intro and hello
2:40 Has the podcast been what you initially expected?
7:50 Casey and Laurel in Taiwan: Gongs, TIPC Convention and competition
23:40 Ben preparing new rep. this summer
25:35 Megan travelling this summer, visiting the Marimba One factory
32:06 Laurel at New Music Gathering
45:50 Casey writing this summer
49:01 Favorite segments?
55:12 Stats of bookings, topics, etc...
1:04:40 Criticism

The @Percussion - Episode 99 Patti Niemi

099 - Patti Niemi

Patti Niemi has been a member of the percussion section of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1992.  She has several recordings to her credit, from opera productions to chamber percussion works. 
Recently published in her memoir Sticking it Out. About it, author Kevin Smokler writes: "Sharp like a flam, resonant like the end of a roll, Sticking it Out is everything you want a music memoir to be: funny, honest and memorable."

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 intro and hello
2:43 Why write Sticking It Out? The process of writing this?
6:11 Julliard, at the time.
10:20 Deciding boundaries of what to share in the book? Sexual harassment
18:45 "Can't be done by a woman" ?!
24:20 Long term anxiety?
27:45 Auditions today, tenure.
30:28 Bringing a bad attitude
33:43 Laurel: International Women's Brass Conference. Four rolls women fill
45:10 Happening lately in the Opera?
49:02 Favorite Opera hits?
52:47 How has the book changed things for you as a percussionist?
55:15 Advice for young people?
57:20 Gary Burton quote

The @Percussion - Episode 98 Zoltan Racz

098 - Zoltan Racz

Zoltan Racz is the founder of the percussion quartet Amadinda, which just celebrated 33 years of playing together.  Laurel and Casey ran into him at the 2017 Taiwan International Percussion Convention in Taipei, and Casey couldn't resist sitting with him for an interview.

Along with past PAS President Julie Hill, Casey asks questions about Amadinda as well as Zoltan's experience in working with three powerhouse composers of the 20th century: John Cage, Gyorgy Ligeti, and Steve Reich.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 Intro & Hello
8:30 Doll's House Story
15:40 Steve Reich, Music for 18
29:52 John Cage Four4
40:44 György Ligeti
44:47 Are these composers' personalities as we imagine?
53:05 beFORe JOHN title? Traditional Polynesian piece?
58:00 How do you feel about percussion ensemble today?
1:03:20 logistics of rehearsal space in the beginning?

The @Percussion - Episode 97 Paul Rennick

097 - Paul Rennick

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.

0:00 Intro & Hello
3:06 Writing lately
9:50 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 additions
47:03 Casey - The President's "New Microphone" - News report.
52:07 Ben - Bob Becker
1:00:43 Working with Sandi, and thanks from Paul

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 96 Micah Detweiler and Cristian Good

096 - Micah Detweiler and Cristian Good

Joining us this week are Micah Detweiler and Cristian Good.  Micah is a percussion educator in the public schools in Indiana, and Cristian works at the musical superhouse Sweetwater. 

Cristian also has experience recording drum corps and marching percussion.  Whether you're about to graduate and start teaching, or are teaching those about to be teachers, this is an enlightening episode.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 Intro and hello
5:15 Your favorite thing about working at Sweetwater?
8:15 Some things you wish you new going in as a new public school teacher?
20:32 Tips for building ensembles in public school?
27:50 Campus "free speech"
51:05 Getting students more well rounded?
57:30 Getting timpani taught at a young age?
1:01:20 Budgeting

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 95 Beverley Johnston

095 - Beverley Johnston

Beverley Johnston is an internationally known percussionist on faculty at the University of Toronto.  Her concerts often feature dramatic and theatrical elements, making her unique in the field.

She has released several CDs, and been on faculty at percussion seminars all around the world.  In 2009 she was given the distinction of becoming an Ambassador of the Canadian Music Centre in honor of her exemplary commitment to the performance of the music of Canadian composers.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 Intro and hello
5:40 Composer and husband Christos Hatzis
7:45 "Steel The Thunder" by Jean Piche
12:00 Michael Colgrass
23:17 Fertility Rites
26:00 How did you start in percussion?
31:25 Your non-traditional rep.?
36:10 When did you begin these theater pieces?
41:20 Laurel, poll and article on Creativity

The @Percussion - Episode 94 Jacob Garcia

094 - Jacob Garcia

Jacob Adam Garcia is a Texas-based classical percussionist finishing a DMA at UNT and actively performing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  He and Laurel crossed paths at The Boston Conservatory.

He teaches percussion at Texas Woman's University, serves as Principal Percussionist at The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, and is a section player for The Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Winds.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 Intro and hello
4:15 Jacob's multiple teaching and performing jobs
5:30 Cars and gear...
10:50 Life and finishing up your DMA
15:45 Making time
19:40 Student debt forgiveness (part 2). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan
49:30 Quick on Megan's I-Ching DMA presentation
1:00:44 Chamber Music America

The @Percussion - Episode 93 Carol and Raymond Helble

093 - Carol and Raymond Helble

Together, Raymond and Carol Helble have contributed much to the field of percussion.  As a composer, Raymond's percussion catalog ranges from ensemble works to collaborations with Leigh Howards Stevens, and recently a piece for marimba virtuoso Theodor Milkov.

Carol Helble organizes MMPAT: Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy.  It began 10 years ago as a local marimba competition, but now includes categories for other percussion instruments, too. Each year she invites a soloist and clinician - in 2018 that will be Ji-Hye Jung.

Watch here. Listen below.

0:00 intro & hello
1:30 Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy
8:00 Writing for both Mr. Stevens and Mr. Theodore Milkov
22:00 Incorporating percussion into chamber music
34:20 Huge barrel drum?!
36:48 Who do think is an innovator in percussion today?
43:15 Who do think is an innovator in education today?
49:27 Summer percussion festivals
58:00 Diabolic Variations?
1:50:00 Putting yourself on social media?