Home | Music Samples | About us | Contact us  
 Related Links | Equipment Links | Site Index 
Music Directories | Rate this Site | Suggest a Link

Für eine deutsche Übersetzung dieser Seite Klicken Hier:

Pour une traduction française de cette page, ce déclic ici:

Para una traducción española de esta página, el chasquido aquí:

Many years before Pete Harris and I teamed up to teach the drum section at California High, Pete taught a camp at Peters Township High School. One of the students from that line was now band director at EF.
   The band at EF had a long tradition of big, flashy, and precise competitive shows over the years. Lory Yednick taught the percussion section for years, keeping them up to date with modern equipment, and legendary methods of teaching drums, and the same director was tenured for a length of time. The two week band camp was the same time as Cal's band camp, but hourly schedules differed, making it easier to do both. I was there all the time, while Pete floated in and out; while Pete was full time at Cal, and I floated. (both programs were only paying for one guy) My first four days was spent accessing equipment, inventory, and purchasing of new equipment. Most of the percussion equipment for the pit had been rented or loaned by Lory's music store, while he taught there. (Progressive Music, McKeesport PA) With the money they had to work with, I determined that the best course for all programs (including jazz band, and symphonic band) was to secure some DrumKAT products. I went with: four octave MalletKAT, DrumKAT 3.5 controller, and Procussion Drum Module, and some pedals and breath controller. They already had a decent keyboard and a small Amplifier system, so this brought them up to speed as far as having modern equipment, and enough boards for everyone to bang on. Also got a Lexicon Reverb, and put together a rack for the mallet section. 

   The band director on the way out picked music that was levels too high for the abilities and talents of his band, leaving his successor to attempt the impossible. Careful re-writing in the drum line, and big enhancement by the carefully arranged pit pulled the band together in their arrangements of: Tower of Power's What Is Hip, Birdland, and Africa. The show at the end of band-camp was a success, and the parents were excited. My job was technically over, though I showed up at the Kennywood Park gig to help out. Discussion with the director determined my services were no longer needed. I made sure everyone including the band president was happy with my work, before leaving. My job was to get the students to perform the whole show at the end of camp without falling apart. I did that, along with all the administrative and purchasing duties for the line.