industry news HaMaR Revised website With over 150 compositions to choose from and an enlarged group of complimentary tutorial samples, the new HaMaR website has some- thing for players and teachers. The site has nearly 200 items to view, including HaMaR Music Direct. View, play, purchase, and print on demand many of the digital compositions. The catalog has music for all levels of proficiency and includes a snare drum series, method series, and music for percussion ensemble, bass drum, timpani, mallets, wind ensemble, and orchestra. Visit the site at www.hamarpercussion.com. kICkPORT New distributors in Europe and Central and South America To support the growing popularity of the KickPort and CajonPort with drummers and percussionists around the world, KickPort Inter- national, LLC has announced the expansion of its distribution in the European music market. Joining KickPort’s international distribution network are Box Of Trix (Germany, Austria); PB Music (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg); Soitin Laine (Finland); Tonastodin (Ice- land); Bode S.r.l. (Italy); GE Musikk (Norway); Music Distribucion (Spain, Portugal); Korg UK, Ltd. (UK); and Music World, Ltd. (Ukraine). KickPort International, LLC has also announced the expansion of its distribution in the Central and South American music markets. Joining KickPort’s international distribution network are Distribudora Gohner (Mexico); Prado Unique Repercusions (Honduras); Dream Argentia (Argentina); Sonotec Electronica LTDA (Brazil); Cobalto (Chile); and Music City (Venezuela). For updates and contact information visit kickport.com/contact. LATIN PERCUSSION LP donates Egg Shakers to kenyan orphanage Latin Percussion recently donated over 100 of its popular Egg Shakers to the St. Theresa House of Hope Children’s Home in Lake Elemintita, Kenya. The donation was made to support the charitable ef- fort spearheaded by Sunniva Sorby with assistance from her sister Bet- tina Breckenfeld through the American Foundation for Children with AIDS. American Foundation for Children with AIDS Representative Sunniva Sorby with child from House of Hope. OCTOBER 2011 28 pERCussiOn nEws www.pas.org www.pas.org pERCussiOn nEws 29 OCTOBER 2011 The St. Theresa House of Hope Children’s Home was opened in While attending the festival, students have the opportunity to perform 2007 to care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that in the AFA Summer Concert Series, which presents many free concerts Kenya is home to 2.4 million orphans, 60% of whom have been or- throughout Houston. phaned by the disease. The orphanage is part of a nationwide effort to Sponsorship of the AFA Summer Music Conservatory is part of combine the resources of government, international agencies, charitable Pearl’s continuing efforts to improve the quality and accessibility of mu- organizations, and community groups to help care for these children. sic education to students of all ages and backgrounds. For more infor- On their most recent trip to Kenya, Sunniva and Bettina handed out mation on Pearl’s education and artist programs, visit www.pearldrum. the LP Egg Shakers to all the children in the orphanage. “The young com. ladies…were renewed with hope when we paid them a visit and shared the Egg Shakers that LP graciously donated,” said Bettina. “The place PERCUSSION MARkETING COUNCIL erupted into song and movement when we distributed these shakers. Jespersen and Jewell named new executive officers We made a lot of kids very happy!” The Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) has announced the ap- If you would like to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to the pointment of Bob Jespersen and David Jewell as Executive Officers. American Foundation for Children with AIDS, you can do so online at PMC officers serve as equal Co-Executive Directors, each responsible http://bit.ly/kidswithaids. for specific areas of guidance, direction, and benefit to all PMC Mem- bers and the percussion industry. MARIMBA ONE Jespersen is the National Call Center Director/Regional Sales Man- New customer-friendly website ager for KMC Music, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn. Bob’s Marimba One, maker of concert marimbas, has launched a brand- 30-year career with KMC Music includes diverse sales and customer new customer-friendly website. The new site is designed to give users service management positions throughout the U.S. an easy-to-navigate environment in which to explore marimbas, mallets, Jewell is the Marketing Manager of Yamaha Drums, headquartered and accessories. in Buena Park, Calif. Dave brings years of percussion industry experi- The website is the direct result of research conducted over the last ence as a full-time player, over 14 years with Milano Music in Arizona, year into what customers want. “We’ve conducted several researches and the past 13 years with Yamaha. He will assume direction over the both informally and in connection with California State University PMC’s marketing strategies. (Humboldt) School of Business Marketing Dept., and have integrated The PMC Board consists of the following individuals volunteering the results into the way our new site works for customers,” says Ron and serving the PMC—Executive Officers: Brad Smith (Industry Rela- Samuels, founder of Marimba One. “Our website visitors want to tions), David Jewell (Marketing-Promotions), Bob Jespersen (Retailer understand about sound. They want to know: How does one level of Program Application & Development), and Karl Dustman (Headquar- keyboard differ from another on a marimba? What is the difference ter Operations/ Financial-Legal-Membership). Advisory Board: Billy between resonators? What do existing customers say about these various Cuthrell (Event Marketing, Website, Promotions), Phil Hood (New combinations?” Membership Development), Dr. Craig Woodson (Roots of Rhythm, The website rebuild was done by Accelerant Design of Arcata, Cali- Program Director), and Brian LaRue (New Membership Develop- fornia. ment). PEARL NAMM Foundation Grant Art department expands The Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) recently announced Pearl Corporation has hired two new Art Department employees, that the organization was one of 35 recipients nationwide to receive a Garrett DeLozier and Bill Tyler. DeLozier, a native of Sevierville, NAMM Foundation 2011–2012 program grant. The PMC’s “PER- Tenn., is a recent graduate of the Art Institute of Tennessee – Nash- CUSSION! The Rhythm of Life Through Making Music” funding will ville, receiving his BFA in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. help the further development and growth of the organization’s Percus- DeLozier comes from a background of freelance editing of short narra- sion in the Schools and Roots of Rhythm Programs. Percussion in the tives, commercials, documentaries, and animated shorts. Originally from Schools is an educational in-school performance program targeted Mississippi, Tyler has over 20 years of professional graphic arts experi- to introduce and provide professional percussion playing experiences ence, specifically in art direction and graphic design for over 200 album to elementary through high school levels. Roots of Rhythm produces covers. A graduate of Millsaps College, with two years of architecture multiple teacher/trainer workshops throughout the U.S. while working training, Tyler has worked with MCA Records, Billboard magazine, and with a variety of educational venues including MENC, House of Blues numerous independent labels and publishers. Foundation, and others. AFA Summer Music Conservatory support Percussion in the Schools dealer promotion with keith Carlock This summer, Pearl/Adams supported the American Festival for the The Percussion Marketing Council (PMC), in conjunction with Arts as part of an ongoing effort to advance the quality of percussion internationally recognized drummer Keith Carlock, announced its Per- performance by supporting music education programs and artists that cussion in the Schools (PITS) dealer program for 2011. inspire and inform students. The American Festival for the Arts pre- Building on the success of the 2010 “Win Chad Smith” campaign, sented the AFA Summer Music Conservatory for its 16th year, held PMC followed up this year by inviting NAMM retail music dealers to at Houston ISD’s Pershing High School, June 20–July 22. Founded in nominate a school district for hosting a Keith Carlock all-school per- 1993 by Houston composer and arts advocate J. Todd Frazier, American cussion concert assembly. The all-school general assembly concert pro- Festival for the Arts (AFA) provides high quality, community-based gram is targeted to junior high and high school audiences in the dealer’s music education programs and performance opportunities designed local market and will be held at the school in October. primarily for youth and, through its concert series and outreach, seeks to Through a generous grant from the NAMM Foundation, the PMC broaden the audience for both American works and the classical music has been able to grow this program consistently since its launch in 2007. repertory. This year’s summer curriculum featured programs in orchestra, The PMC’s utilization of Chad Smith, a multi-Grammy Award-win- chamber music, choir, vocal studies, jazz, piano and composition. Stu- ning artist and drumming industry ambassador, brought international dent musicians, ranging from 4th to 12th grade, came from throughout attention to this PMC educational program in 2010. The organization’s Southeast Texas to audition and enroll in the summer conservatory. mission of