The @Percussion Podcast

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 14 - Mike Truesdell

014 - Mike Truesdell

Joining us is the illustrious Mike Truesdell.  He's a busy fellow: teaching at Rutgers, directing several percussion camps, researching Stravinsky, playing in NYC, and completing a doctorate at Juilliard.

Topics: Stravinky's L'Histoire du Soldat (Solider's Tale) and multi percussion, PASIC drumset artists preview

0:00  Intro and hello
1:53  Dissertation topic: Stravinky's “L'Histoire du Soldat” (Solider's Tale)
10:31  Multi-percussion solos in collegiate curriculum
15:37  Ben: Stravinky's “L'Histoire du Soldat”
20:45  Interpreting the details, considering the time-period
29:40  Megan: PASIC drumset artists preview, pt. 1
35:39  Anika Nilles and being a female drumset player
42:25  Megan: PASIC drumset artists preview, pt. 2
49:12  Reed Puleo: How were you able to get into the new music scene in NYC and what are some things you did you start getting involved in new music in general?
55:27  Matthew Valenzuela: Do you have any tips/experiences on postgrad burnout?
1:00:18  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 13 - Bill Shaltis

013 - Bill Shaltis

Joining us this week is the newly titled Doctor Bill Shaltis.  He gave a clinic at Midwest this year all about timpani, fitting as the timpanist of the Boise Philharmonic.  He's also a good sport and played along with the Halloween theme of the episode.

 Topics: Happy Birthday to Steve Reich, PASIC events, "playing" vs "performing"

0:00  Intro of Halloween costumes and people
2:34  Kansas City Royals Drumline at the World Series
3:39  Finishing DMA, dissertation research
4:40  Good Beats Podcast
6:52  Studying for comprehensive exams
12:10  Megan: PAS current events page
16:59  Laurel: "playing" vs. "performing," reflections from an opera workshop
34:22  Ben: Happy Birthday Steve Reich, works for percussion
43:26  Personal experiences with Reich’s music
53:10  Ted Jackson: What is your daily routine to keep your ears and hands in shape?
58:29  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 12 - Jim Cangelosi

012 - Jim Cangelosi

Sitting with Casey this episode is our guest, Jim Cangelosi. He's a mathematician, educator, and recent recipient of the Carnegie Award for the state of Utah. (And yes, he's Casey's dad.)

 

Topics: Iannis Xenakis, Creativity, Grants and Research, state of higher education

 

0:00 Intro and hello
2:08 More on "Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 
7:52 Divergent and convergent thinking in relation to mathematics
17:40 Synectic experiments, Euclidian geometry
22:15 Synectics activity: think of a marimba solo
24:09 Prompt 1: direct analogy
27:32 Prompt 2: personal analogy
31:06 Prompt 3: compressed conflict
37:04 Analysis of synectics activity
45:07 Ben: Iannis Xennakis
54:07 Set theory, game theory, stochasticism
57:10 Brian Nozny: What trends in higher education do you see carrying us forward and improving academia as a whole? On the other side, what trends do you see are hindering us?
1:02:42 Preston Bennett: What are your opinions on the concept of the “flipped” classroom model, where students are asked to learn at their own pace at home, and then come together in class to work on what would typically be assigned as homework? What do you perceive to be the biggest obstacle in our education system both in teaching math as well as in other subjects?
1:11:40 UMEP grant (Utah Mathematics Education Project – 11-year grant)
1:20:17 Math and biology combination grant, math and music similar possibilities
1:24:40 Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 11 -Shaun Tilburg

011 - Shaun Tilburg

Joining us is Shaun Tilburg, author of The Regimen, a new book full of snare warm-ups and exercises for all percussionists. He's currently the Principal Percussionist of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.

Topics: The Green Brothers, Ghost-Note at PASIC, Ivana Bilic Marimba Week.

0:00  Intro and hello
0:59  Manny Flores: Shaun, can you walk us through your routine for a concert day?
2:46  Ivana Bilic Marimba Week in Croatia
5:22  Ben: The Green Brothers
17:10  Navigating the G.H. Green xylophone instruction book
19:04  Michael Iorio: Can you talk about some different approaches to sticking in relation to desired sound?
21:50  Megan: Ghost-Note at PASIC, Snarky Puppy
29:29  Ted Atkatz:  Shaun, tell us about the inspiration for The Regimen and did you expect it to be an international hit this soon?
36:22  Rainer Romer: How do you deal with self-doubt?
41:02  The changing audition scene
43:58  What's the secret to winning an audition?
45:08  Playing, teaching, and living in Hong Kong
53:20  Jade Hails: How does your experience as an orchestral musician compare to that of a chamber or solo musician, or do the two jobs relate?
57:38  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 10 - Eric Guinivan

010 - Eric Guinivan

This week we spoke with composer/percussionist Eric Guinivan, who now teaches at JMU.  He is the creator of Composer's Circle, a website that features a different composer EVERY DAY.  

Topics: Composition, Time Management, The Mizzou International Composers Festival, and Alarm Will Sound.

0:00  Intro and hello
3:11  Composing for percussion as a percussionist
6:53  Megan: The Mizzou International Composers Festival and Alarm Will Sound
18:00  Eric's experience at MICF
20:18  Preparing your composition portfolio for a competition
25:55  Composers Circle - one composer every day for three years
34:49  Ted Jackson: What is your general composition process and how often do you stick to it?
42:37  Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Habit 3: first thing's first, time management
55:54  "Meditation and Awakening" and singing bowl demonstration
1:01:07  Eric's works for percussion
1:04:23  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 9 - Ian Rosenbaum

009 - Ian Rosenbaum

Joining us this week is Ian Rosenbaum, a new percussionist in the NY scene. For having not been there long, recognition by Lincoln Center and The New York Times is pretty good.

Topics: Bartok Sonata for 2 Pianos and 2 Percussion, Creativity, Andy Akiho Ping Pong Concerto, Facebook questions.

0:00  Intro and hello
1:04  Ben: Bela Bartok’s “Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion” (70th Anniversary)
17:23  Johnny Davidson: You make A LOT of clean recordings. Any pro tips on how to always hit the correct notes on recording day?
19:51  Megan: Andy Akiho’s “Ping Pong Concerto”
26:22  Working with Andy Akiho
28:13  Making music videos
30:47  Francisco Perez: From a repertoire standpoint, what is your balance for performing/learning old works vs. commissioning new works?
33:16  Will Marinelli: Tell us some of the most unusual hobbies of the guys in Sandbox. Yourself included!
35:10  Sandbox Percussion
36:56  Carlos Johnson: What are some of the most “rewarding” pieces you’ve ever played (solo and chamber ensemble)? Also, what were some of your most “rewarding” experiences at Yale, Peabody, and Manhattan School of Music?
39:45  Laurel: "Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, pt. 3 – childhood curiosity
45:57  Ian’s background
50:52  Eli Geruschat: What created the spark that ignited your decision to become a musician?
53:25  Nicholas Hall: In a time that’s so heavily saturated with percussion groups and new music, how do you find yourself creating your own unique voice as a performer?
56:37  Derek Frank: How do you create a fan base and get your name into the public? I assume there are plenty of performers who are great, but not well known.
58:16   Live performance vs. online videos
1:02:29  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 8 - Maria Finkelmeier

008 - Maria Finkelmeier

We're joined this week by a powerhouse named Maria Finkelmeier.  She's the posterchild for professional development and entrepreneurship, and will be launching her own nonprofit organization super soon. Keep her on your radar.

Topics: Kroumata Percussion Ensemble. Amanda Palmer, "The Ask". Foo Fighters, 1000 piece cover band.

0:00 Intro and hello
0:51 “Plato’s Cave” and Boston housing
2:48 Studying in with Anders Åstrand in Sweden
4:19 Kadence Arts and goals for the organization
8:32 Random IKEA facts
11:14 Ben: Kroumata Percussion Ensemble
18:55 Ensemble Evolution
22:28 Laurel: Ted Talk - Amanda Palmer “The Art of Asking”
33:01 The right and wrong ways to ask, cultivating relationships
39:15 Megan: Foo Fighters 1000-piece cover band covering “Learn to Fly”
47:01 The Green Monster Project
53:53 Chris Brophy: Maria has done a fantastic job putting together unconventional ensembles and creating new ideas and pieces for years now. Thank you for your contributions. What advice do you have in terms of funding? Is most of your work done through grants and proposals, universities, crowd-funding, or other methods?
56:48 Kellen Smith: How about any tips/advice for starting performing ensembles outside of a university setting?
57:04 Stephen Kehner: Could you please ask Miss Finkelmeier when she finds the time to sleep or eat in between all the projects, jobs, and outreach initiatives that fill her schedule?
1:00:03 Time management
1:04:06 Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 5 - Ted Atkatz

007 - Ted Atkatz

Far too much fun was had with Ted Atkatz, our guest this week. He's a super busy guy this coming year, hosting TAPS in two locations. 

Topics:  TAPS, Student Debt Forgiveness, no.2 from Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, The Creston Marimba Concertino

  Watch here.  Listen below.

0:00  Intro and hello
1:10  Jade Hails: Tell us about TAPS!
3:11  The multi-faceted percussionist
6:34  Ben: Paul Creston’s “Concertino for Marimba”
12:31  TAPS Australia
18:40  Megan: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan
32:10  “Opus Day” by Ivan Offlich
33:12  Talking about finances with your students/teachers, working while in school
40:33  Laurel: Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind
46:24  Michael Neumeyer: Ted, please tell us about your experience in NYCO/rock gigging versus your classical/orchestral work. Similarities? Differences?
52:28  Unexpected surprises in the orchestra
54:12  Long distance running
56:16  Christopher Rouse’s “Der Gerettete Alberich”
57:53  More banter and wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 6 - Liz Galvan and Matt Penland

006 - Competition Special

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Joining us to talk all about competitions are Matt Penland and Elizabeth Galvan.  

Topics: Competitions, historic LHS marimba competition

0:00  Intro and hello
1:18  Ben: 1995 Leigh Howard Stevens International Marimba Competition and Festival
6:54  Elizabeth’s background
9:19  Matt’s background
12:45  Tim Feerst: How do you deal with disappointing competition results, and what      should you do to rebound from them?
17:11  Brian Calhoon: How do you maintain personal and artistic satisfaction and sanity while in the business of comparing and competing with others?
18:34  Maintaining your unique style
22:42  Gordon Stout: How do you feel about what Bartok said … something to the effect that “competitions are for horses, not musicians.”

30:13  Laurel: psychology of competition
34:16  Brian Nozny: How important do you feel that competitions are to ones’ development as a performer and overall career?
42:08  Rodney Rote Jr. What would be the best approach or reaction if you were to mess up at a competition? Whether it was a big mistake or something only you noticed?

50:42  Bailey O’Donnell: How would you change your preparation methods if, as the competition approached, you felt you might not have enough time to perfect the material?

53:59  Post-competition

55:27  Chris Brophy: Which is more important, the performance at the competition or the preparation leading up to it? i.e. The solution or the process of solving it?

57:23  Ted Jackson: To Laurel: I would like to enter the Great Plains or Southern California Marimba Competition next year. Could you give me any advice from your experience at the Great Plains competition or competitions in general? Would it be good to play two pieces of contrasting styles?

1:00:37  Paul Millette: When judging a competition with multiple rounds, in the finals do you judge based solely on the playing of the final round, or do you take into consideration the repertoire performed in previous rounds?

1:07:38  Rebecca Kite: Should you focus on being perfect or should you focus on your own musical voice?

1:12:07  Wrap

The @Percussion Podcast - Episode 5 - Tom Sherwood

005 - Tom Sherwood

Joining us this week is Tom Sherwood, new member of the Cleveland Orchestra and the previous Principal Percussionist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Topics: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Modern Snare Drum Competition, Happy Birthday to Emil Richards, "Habit 1" - be proactive, commissioning new rep

0:00  Intro and hello
3:18  Laurel: Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Habit 1: be proactive
7:18  Reasons for starting a chamber group and competition
10:19  Sonic Generator chamber ensemble
12:26  Modern Snare Drum Competition and passion for the snare drum
17:22  Process of commissioning, future of the competition
21:08  University of Illinois, Tom Siwe, and figuring out the future
24:15  Preparing for an audition while maintaining a job
31:41  Future of symphony orchestras in the U.S.
38:12  Ben: Happy Birthday Emil Richards
45:33  Ted Jackson: What led you to start a “Modern” snare drum competition instead of just one with standard repertoire? Do you find it difficult to find repertoire for the competition each year and how often do you commission for the competition?
49:01  Jade Hails: What do you look for when you are picking a snare drum solo to play? Which of those elements do you throw in when you compose your own solos? And which of those elements make one solo better than other solos?
51:38  The Noble Snare
56:31  Advice for students preparing for the Modern Snare Drum Competition, sound production
1:01:28  Wrap