Interviews, topics, and discussion
Episodes
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
004 - Sean Connors
From Third Coast Percussion, this week we are joined by Sean Connors.
Topics: Third Coast Percussion Ensemble, Inuksuit - John Luther Adams, Black Earth Percussion Group, Creativity part 2
Topics: Third Coast Percussion Ensemble, Inuksuit - John Luther Adams, Black Earth Percussion Group, Creativity part 2
0:00 Intro and hello
2:13 Ben: Black Earth Percussion Group
12:38 Third Coast Percussion administrative responsibilities
14:13 Megan: “Inuksuit” by John Luther Adams
28:03 Laurel: Thoughts on "Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi part 2, domain and field
33:20 Conor Mulford: By your definition, what separates a good performer from a great one?
44:08 Gip Chan: Do you think percussion programs will separate themselves into different major instrument programs in the future? (similar to the way string players specialize on one major instrument)
53:11 Jade Hails: How do you get past “The Wall” – or that point where you almost have a certain technique (one handed rolls, larger intervals, etc.) in your practicing?
54:51 Jordon Bible: Going off some of the questions above, how do you personally network with people? I know that getting your name out there is important and I’m curious as to how you approach getting more opportunities?
57:03 Networking through social media
1:01:47 Wrap
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
003 - Keith Aleo
Joining us this week is Keith Aleo, newly appointed Director of Percussion at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.
Topics: Interlochen Arts Academy, "Finding Your Voice" commission project for solo cymbals, importance of teaching,Complementary Percussion, 1986 NEA marimba solos commissioning project, changing artists relationships. Shoes...
Topics: Interlochen Arts Academy, "Finding Your Voice" commission project for solo cymbals, importance of teaching,Complementary Percussion, 1986 NEA marimba solos commissioning project, changing artists relationships. Shoes...
0:00 Intro and hello
1:26 Ben: 1986 NEA Solo Marimba Commissions – Jacob Druckman “Reflections on the Nature of Water,” Roger Reynolds “Autumn Island,” Joseph Schwantner “Velocities”
7:53 “Finding Your Musical Voice” Commissioning Project for solo cymbals
19:32 Blake Patterson: With everything going on in the world: all the conflicts, politics, morality issues, and economical issues, how do you think being a percussionist and a teacher fits into the equation?
24:06 Megan: Interlochen (Arts Camp, Academy, and Percussion Institute)
31:24 Keith’s new position as Director of Percussion Studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy
33:18 Bill Rice and retirement from JMU
34:33 Instrument Organization
36:32 Laurel: Artist endorsements, changing relationships
43:27 Shoes …
44:38 Chris Scarberry: Lately I’ve been really interested in the difference between the sounds that win auditions versus the sounds that give the best performances. Basically, the difference between audition instruments and period instruments. For example, is a super-dry 3”x13” snare drum what Prokofiev had in mind for Lt. Kije?
48:35 Dan Smiley Raderman: I’ve been thinking of pursuing a five-year program at my school that ends with a Bachelors in performance and a Masters in education. What do you think is the best school path for someone who ideally wants a small studio in a college, but wants job security as soon as possible?
1:00:48 Chandler Brown: When you guys go about playing a very demanding piece (marimba, snare, or anything), how do you keep your body relaxed through the high physical requirements of that piece?
1:02:39 Wrap
7:53 “Finding Your Musical Voice” Commissioning Project for solo cymbals
19:32 Blake Patterson: With everything going on in the world: all the conflicts, politics, morality issues, and economical issues, how do you think being a percussionist and a teacher fits into the equation?
24:06 Megan: Interlochen (Arts Camp, Academy, and Percussion Institute)
31:24 Keith’s new position as Director of Percussion Studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy
33:18 Bill Rice and retirement from JMU
34:33 Instrument Organization
36:32 Laurel: Artist endorsements, changing relationships
43:27 Shoes …
44:38 Chris Scarberry: Lately I’ve been really interested in the difference between the sounds that win auditions versus the sounds that give the best performances. Basically, the difference between audition instruments and period instruments. For example, is a super-dry 3”x13” snare drum what Prokofiev had in mind for Lt. Kije?
48:35 Dan Smiley Raderman: I’ve been thinking of pursuing a five-year program at my school that ends with a Bachelors in performance and a Masters in education. What do you think is the best school path for someone who ideally wants a small studio in a college, but wants job security as soon as possible?
1:00:48 Chandler Brown: When you guys go about playing a very demanding piece (marimba, snare, or anything), how do you keep your body relaxed through the high physical requirements of that piece?
1:02:39 Wrap
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
002 - Michael Eagle
Our guest this week is Michael Eagle, an incredibly well-rounded percussionist residing in NYC. With him are French percussionists Ronan Le Guellec and Tangi Le Boucher.
Topics: Rudimental drumming in Brittany, Bagad Cap Caval, Breton drumming, Scottish Drumming, John Pratt, Basel Tattoo
0:00 Intro and hello
1:28 Brittany region of France
2:58 Bagad Cap Caval
6:28 Ronan Le Guellec and Tangi Le Boucher intros
8:24 Preparation for competition
10:55 Life as a musician in Brittany
11:51 Ben: Life and legacy of John Pratt
18:56 Michael’s reflections on the Pratt book
22:03 Judging the ASO Modern Snare Drum Competition, wearing multiple hats
25:04 Jacques Delecluse as orchestral, Bagads as folk music
28:36 Megan: The Basel Tattoo
35:34 Michael/Casey collaborations
37:57 Ronan and Tangi’s musical upbringing
46:17 The Scottish Rudiment Project
55:54 BBC Livestream of championships, Gallant Entertainment Inc, Ruff Drags, Wrap
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
001 - Brian Calhoon
Published on Aug 10, 2015
0:00 Intro and hello
1:23 Ben: First pieces for percussion ensemble / Tcherepnin “Symphony No. 1” mvt. 2 (1927), Shostakovich “The Nose” (1928), Roldan “Ritmicas 5 and 6” (1930), Varese “Ionisation” (1931)
6:59 Megan: DCI finals week / R!S - Julie Davila interviews Scott Johnson of the Blue Devils, Brian’s story, bloopers
24:00 Laurel: thoughts on "Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
33:54 Evan Jones: What are some keys to making and finding performance venues outside academic settings for percussionists in solo and chamber settings?
39:16 Booking etiquette, staying active
47:55 How long did it take for you to know this was going to work?
51:46 Bill Shaltis: What are extramusical skills that you feel are essential for 21st century musicians to acquire? Along the lines of entrepreneurship, technology, finances, etc.
56:11 Being able to speak clearly about what we do and meet people where they are
1:00:50 Boston Percussion Group’s (BPeG) “Ragas, Reich, and Radiohead” program
1:03:31 Wrap
1:23 Ben: First pieces for percussion ensemble / Tcherepnin “Symphony No. 1” mvt. 2 (1927), Shostakovich “The Nose” (1928), Roldan “Ritmicas 5 and 6” (1930), Varese “Ionisation” (1931)
6:59 Megan: DCI finals week / R!S - Julie Davila interviews Scott Johnson of the Blue Devils, Brian’s story, bloopers
24:00 Laurel: thoughts on "Creativity" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
33:54 Evan Jones: What are some keys to making and finding performance venues outside academic settings for percussionists in solo and chamber settings?
39:16 Booking etiquette, staying active
47:55 How long did it take for you to know this was going to work?
51:46 Bill Shaltis: What are extramusical skills that you feel are essential for 21st century musicians to acquire? Along the lines of entrepreneurship, technology, finances, etc.
56:11 Being able to speak clearly about what we do and meet people where they are
1:00:50 Boston Percussion Group’s (BPeG) “Ragas, Reich, and Radiohead” program
1:03:31 Wrap