I’ve been really fortunate to have lots of opportunities to visit with colleagues and students at other universities this spring!  Conference travels have taken me across the country, and I’ve been able to connect with students at the University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and Eastern New Mexico University.  Later this week I head to the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music to visit with their percussion students.  I love having a chance to meet all of the new people, visit new places, and talk about drums!

I had a great trip to Wichita to present two clinics at the 2017 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop!  I always love working with educators to help provide resources for them to use in their classrooms, and it was really fun to be able to present both of my clinics.  Special thanks to the KMEA folks for inviting me, all who attended my sessions, and my sponsors for their generous support and amazing instruments and implements!

If you attended my sessions and are looking for PDF’s of the slides, they can be found below.

Accessory Percussion Solutions!

Marimba Boot Camp

I had a blast presenting at the 2017 Minnesota Music Educators Association Conference in Minneapolis last week.  If you were at my presentation, or even if you weren’t, I’m including my slides here for you to utilize.  Feel free to contact me if you have any follow up questions!

MMEA Slides

I was recently invited to perform at three College Music Society regional conferences in the Spring of 2017!  Jason Treuting’s new multi-percussion work based on Sudoku puzzles was accepted for performance in Portales, New Mexico (Rocky Mountain Chapter) and Vancouver, Canada (Pacific Northwest Chapter), and Marc Mellits’ new marimba solo Zodiac will be performed in Lincoln, Nebraska (Great Plains Chapter).  Both works were commissioned by me, and I’m so excited to be able to share them with musicians from all across the country this spring!

I am thrilled to be invited to present at both the Minnesota and Kansas Music Educators Association Conferences this coming spring!  I will be presenting my clinic “Accessory Percussion Solutions” in Minneapolis on Friday, February 17th, and two clinics (one on accessory instruments, and one on marimba) in Wichita on Friday, February 24th.  Working with music educators to help them better engage their students is one of the most fulfilling things that I do, and I’m so glad that I will be able to share with teachers in Minnesota and Kansas.  If you’re coming to the conferences, be sure to attend my session and come say hello!

On Thursday, November 17th, I was so thrilled to be able to return to my alma mater, Truman State University, to perform with Dr. Curran Prendergast and his fantastic students in the Wind Symphony!  We performed Chris Ozley’s “Flourish: Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble,” a piece that I commissioned a couple of years ago.  The students played wonderfully, and I had a fantastic time working with them!

This past weekend I was fortunate to be able to present my new clinic “Marimba Boot Camp” at the 2016 Iowa Music Educators Association Conference in Ames, IA.  One of my favorite things to do is to offer support for music educators hoping to better engage their percussionists, and IMEA is always a great opportunity to do that!  I’m attaching my slides and handout for those who may want to check them out, or clinic attendees who are wanting to reference them later.  Thanks to all of those who were able to attend!

Marimba Boot Camp Handout

Marimba Boot Camp Slides

I was fortunate to be asked by Black Swamp Percussion to provide some content for their 2016 Sound Solution Project.  My two-part video series is titled “Setting up for Success,” and it’s all about the importance of having a professional, functional, and efficient setup when we’re playing our instruments.  Check out the videos below, and be sure to check out all of the other amazing articles, videos, and products from Black Swamp!

I was honored to be able to present an accessory percussion clinic at the 2016 Missouri Day of Percussion at Battle High School in Columbia, MO!  We had a great crowd, with folks overflowing out into the hallway for my session.  Special thanks to Kent Lineberry, Missouri Chapter President of PAS, and his colleagues for inviting me down, as well as to my sponsors for supporting the visit.  And, of course, a special thanks to all who made the decision to attend!  I hope you had a great time and picked up some good information to take home with you!