People and Places; in Memoriam: Minoru Miki; Recent Donations

solo and percussion trio, both composed by Kaiser, as well as compositions by all of the people and places other ensemble members. On Oct. 2, he played a concert titled “Organ and Percussion” at the Artionale Festival in Munich. Works included CANADA Following this event, Répercussion appeared “Blackwood Solaris” and “Phaikon 493,” both anadian percussion quartet Répercussion as guests of the Longueuil Symphony Orches- for organ and percussion and composed by performed in Montreal for two special tra as part of the annual Longueuil Percussion Kaiser. eventsC during its 2011 season. The first event Festival. The group performed a five-movement ITALY featured Répercussion as the invited guests of piece composed especially for them titled “A Concerto Della Donna, a dynamic group of Celebration on Five Continents” by Montreal eander Kaiser won third prize at the In- young female singers under the direction of composer Yves Lapierre. ternational Composition Contest of PAS Maestro Iwan Edwards (former Choir Director LItaly in Fermo with his composition “Schatten- GERMANY for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra). This SägenFuge” for piccolo and field drum. In his concert included music from Africa and South n Oct. 9, 2011, Leander Kaiser played category, Percussion Duo to Sextet, no first or America for women’s choir and percussion, in- at Schlossberghalle/Starnberg-Germany second prize was awarded this year. The virtuo- cluding a new work composed by Répercussion Owith his ensemble, Index4 Percussion Quar- sic drum-fugue will be published by Beurskens member Robert Lépine and a composition by tet. Works included “Minotaurus 4.3” for ma- Music in Holland. Répercussion’s Aldo Mazza. rimba solo and “Bayon Pearnik” for marimba JAPAN n emoriam ill Cahn, a member of Nexus and an I M Associate Professor of Percussion at the Minoru Miki EastmanB School of Music, returned to Japan in 2011 to conduct his 11th residency at the 1930–2011 Showa Music Academy in Kawasaki since 1998. Bill’s activities included: being soloist apanese composer Minoru Miki died on on a gala percussion concert in the academy’s JDecember 8, 2011, after a ten-year battle opera house; teaching 44 private lessons; with prostate cancer. giving 11 small ensemble coaching sessions; Miki was born on March 16, 1930 in the conducting a Creative Music Making (freeform Akui-cho district of Tokushima City, Japan. improvisation) workshop; participating in He took up choir in high school and attend- a videotaped interview by students in the ed the Tokyo National University of Fine English language class; and presenting a Arts and Music. He studied with Tomojiro formal address to the Showa faculty and Ikenouchi and Akira Ifukube, and graduated administration. with a composition degree in 1955. THE NETHERLANDS After graduation, Miki composed music for TV, movies, and choirs, including “Ku- he Netherlands PAS Chapter held its rudando” (1963), a cantata for traditional 6th Annual Day of Percussion on Oct. Japanese instruments and mixed chorus. T1, 2011 in Kerkrade, hosted by Rob Janssen The instrumentalists from this performance and Michel Mordant. The day started with served as the nucleus in 1964 to form a new Spiritual,” all pieces that were commissioned some new features, starting with a master ensemble, Pro Musica Nipponia. Miki com- and premiered by Abe, Miki composed class on flute by Wiek Karsten. Also an posed 33 works for Pro Musica Nipponia percussion ensembles and chamber works unusual but interesting session was given and organized tours and concerts around the that utilize percussion and marimba. His by Johnny Eeckhaut, who led a master class world. In addition to Pro Musica Nipponia, most recent percussion ensemble work, “Z on Huntingband instruments and explained Miki focused much of his career to combine Conversion,” was given its United States the in and outs regarding horns, trumpets, Japanese culture with Asian and western premiere at PASIC 2006 and later recorded baritones, and basses. Hans Zonderop, a influences through his works and various by the Texas A&M University-Commerce member of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest ensembles he organized. Percussion Ensemble. Other works include and a teacher at Koninklijk Conservatorium Miki founded and composed music for “Z Concerto” (a percussion duet concerto) the Hague demonstrated some interesting the Yui Ensemble in 1990, a chamber group and small percussion ensembles “Dotoh,” snare drum techniques. He also explained playing Asian and western instruments. He “Kincho Daiko,” and “Yoshitsune Daiko.” tuning, snare tensioning, sticks, and more. published a book, The Theory of Composing for Other chamber works with marimba include Ruud Wiener presented a master class on Japanese Instruments, and he wrote nine full- “Sohmon III” for marimba, soprano, and pi- marimba and vibraphone. The final concert length operas tracing 1,500 years of Japanese ano, “East Arc” for marimba, violin, cello and included the Huntingband from the master history. pipa, and “Marim Dan-Dan” for marimba class, Het Trompetterkorps van de Belgische Miki also worked with marimbist Keiko and two percussionists. Gidsen (directed by Eeckhaut), and Igor Abe to build the repertoire and capabili- Miki composed over 200 works in many Hobus, drummer of the rock group De ties of marimba performance. Since first different genres and instrument combina- Heideroosjes, who played some of the band’s working with Abe in 1968, percussion was tions and worked diligently to bring Japanese hits accompanied by the percussion group a large part of his compositional output. In culture to people all across the world through Concordia Leveroy (directed by Roy Janssen). addition to “Time for Marimba,” “Concerto his music. Thanks to our sponsors: PAS, Huis Voor De for Marimba and Orchestra,” and “Marimba Kunsten Limburg, Adams, RAWI Percussion Publications, Majestic, Pustjens Percussion

FEBRUARY 2012 4 percussion newS www.pas.org Products, ABC Percussion Mallets, LBT Jaar, Illinois Buerskens Muziekuitgeverij, Beurskens Music he Southern Illinois University Carbon- Editions, PaBo Music, Percussion Advice dale (SIUC) Percussion Department (Ron Centre, and Kreato Centrum voor de Kunsten. TCoulter, director) hosted mbira masters Cau- tion Shonhai and Erica Azim for three days of USA workshops and concerts Sept. 6–8, 2011. Alabama r. Norman Weinberg (University of Ari- Indiana zona) was in residency at the University hops Percussion hosted Todd Sucherman ofD South Alabama (Michael Sammons, host) for a clinic at Paige’s Music in India- in Mobile, and appeared as a guest artist/soloist napolisC on Nov. 8, 2011. Due to the large at- with the USA Percussion Ensemble on Nov. tendence, the event was held in Paige’s Music, 21 and 22, 2011. Weinberg performed Paul allowing an estimated 120 people to enjoy all Bissell’s “Alabados Song” with the percussion that the clinic had to offer. Sucherman per- ensemble as well as “Ambient Resonances” formed an opening solo, prompting the first by Peter Klatzow and “CaDance for Two” of many standing ovations from the audience. by Andy Pape with Sammons. During his Todd performed various tracks and conducted residency, Weinberg gave several clinics and a Q&A session with the crowd. As door prizes lectures on technology and music. Sponsors for were given away, everyone moved to Chops this event included Yamaha, Vic Firth, Remo, Percussion for an autograph and photo session Grover Pro Percussion, and Zildjian. with Sucherman. Arkansas Kentucky n Nov. 6, 2011, Dr. Brett Dietz (Louisi- r. Andy Bliss, Interim Director of Per- ana State University) presented a master cussion Studies at the University of Oclass-clinic at Ouachita Baptist University in Tennessee,D presented a lecture on the history Arkadelphia. Dietz heard student performances and relevance of multiple percussion to the on marimba and xylophone and presented Campbellsville University Percussion Studio, techniques for achieving musicality and devel- under the direction of Dr. Chad Floyd, on oping facility using keyboard percussion grips. Dec. 7, 2011. Bliss also presented a master class Dietz and saxophonist Dr. Griffith Campbell while on campus. The event was sponsored by (Lousiana State University) presented a concert Yamaha, Innovative Percussion, Evans, and that evening that included selections from Song Black Swamp. Book for Alto Saxophone and Marimba by David Maslanka, “Breathless” by David Stock for Mississippi saxophone and vibraphone, and Dietz’s “Seven r. Andy Harnsberger (Lee University) Ghosts Above the Landscape” for saxophone was in residence at Mississippi State Uni- and drumset composed in response to Hur- versityD in November. He presented a clinic and ricane Katrina. Both events were made possible was the featured artist on the MSU percussion through the support of Dynasty, Innovative ensemble concert, which featured his pieces Percussion, and the Division of Music. “DIN,” “Palmetto Moon,” and “Vertigo” with

Jason Baker, Andy Harnsberger and members of the MSU percussion studio

www.pas.org percussiON nEWS 5 FEBRUARY 2012 the MSU Percussion Ensemble. Harnsberger Recent Donations also performed his marimba works “April Sun” and “Words Unspoken,” and gave the world By Otice C. Sircy, PAS Curator and Librarian premiere of his new piece, “Phoenix.” The event was hosted by Jason Baker and was co-spon- he PAS museum has received a vintage donated a traditional four-row xylophone, sored by Pearl/Adams, Innovative Percussion, Tdrumset from Ronnie LaGrone, a gift that manufactured by A. Müller, Berlin. Michael Sabian, Evans, and Grover Pro Percussion. includes two 14 x 3 snare drums, a Gretsch Vercilli sent disassembled pieces of an Af- 14 x 5½ white marine pearl snare drum, and a rican gyil, including a calabash gourd, one Ohio 12 x 26 8-lug, single-tension Leedy Reliance hardwood bar, part of the frame, and leather n Nov. 6, as part of The Big Beat 2011, wooden bass drum with maple hoops, deco- thongs. This donation is presently included in John Sferra and Tom Shelley played rated with a scroll-shaped decal “Seiberling- an exhibit in the Rhythm! Discovery Center’s Oto several recorded tracks by the Phil Keaggy Lucas/Music Co./Portland [OR].” Additional long gallery. From Lynn Glassock we received Trio at Stebal drum shop in Cleveland. The drumset components include a vertical snow- 29 mallet pairs, plus drumsticks. duo demonstrated how the drumset and vari- shoe hi-hat with two 7-inch brass cymbals; The PAS Library received from Ian Turn- ous percussion instruments are played, and a Ludwig & Ludwig “Ludwig Jr” bass drum bull an original hand-colored framed litho- how a drummer and a percussionist can work pedal, with attached cymbal striker; and a 12- graph of a figure from the 3rd Regiment of together to complement each other’s playing inch cymbal mounted on a spring holder, an Foot, The Band, The British Army (1828), while supporting the overall sound of the mu- 11-inch Ludwig cymbal mounted on a clutch, by E. Hull, along with a framed photograph sic. Members of the audience were then invited and a 10-inch cymbal mounted on a Slinger- of James Blades, OBE, and Evelyn Glennie, up for a percussive jam with John and Tom. land clutch. The gift also includes a large col- OBE, autographed by the subjects (1995). The Big Beat is held every year at Stebal lection of miscellaneous period hardware. Both pieces are from the estate of James Drums to raise money to help schools buy Julie Hill has donated a collection of eight Blades. Turnbull’s donation also includes more instruments. At 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Brazilian instruments that she originally percussion-related brochures, programs, 2000–3000 drummers played the same beat (at loaned to the Rhythm! Discovery Center newspaper clippings, and his personal PASIC the same time) at major drum shops all over for its grand opening in 2009. This group nametags from 1976 through 2005. the country. This was an attempt to break the of instruments is featured on page 72 of the B. Michael Williams has donated to the record in the Guinness Book of World Records. January 2012 issue of Percussive Notes. The Library his collection of personal correspon- gift includes a DVD from Carnival 2005 and dence received from John Cage from 1988 Tennessee thirteen 5 x 7 photographs. through 1990. Included in the gift are an n Nov. 22, 2011, Nashville drummer and The percussion industry continues to be invitation to an event honoring John Cage recording artist John Toomey presented generous to the PAS museum. From Yamaha at the Cunningham Dance Foundation in Oa clinic on 6-way independence for drumset Corporation of America we have received five 1989, a second invitation from the foundation at the University of Tennessee at Martin. The drums: 16-, 12-, and 8-inch toms and 24- and to a memorial event honoring John Cage in clinic was centered around Toomey’s new 20-inch bass drums. These drums are cur- October 1992, and several negatives of color DVD that focuses on teaching an innovative rently being used in the Rhythm! Discovery photographs of Cage. From Steve Barnhart, approach to independence primarily with the Center’s interactive exhibit illustrating acous- Department of Music at the University of feet. tic principles. The gift also includes a 26-inch Wyoming, we received a short 16mm film (c. timpano. From Remo, Inc., we received a 1971), Beats Go On: Percussion from Pleistocene r. Blake Tyson was in residency at Lee 40-inch tunable drum table, two RotoToms to Paradiddle, a survey of percussion evolution University on Oct. 24–25, 2011. The event with stands, and assorted drumheads. Pearl using animation along with video of a Shelly wasD hosted by Dr. Andy Harnsberger, Direc- Corporation donated three marching bass Manne solo performance. tor of Percussion Studies/Artist in Residence, drum stands, Avedis Zildjian Co. sent two 16- The library holdings have been significantly and Brandon Wood, Instructor of Percussion, inch K Constantinople suspended cymbals, expanded with donations of books, published and sponsored by the Lee University Fine Arts and from Mike Balter Mallets we received scores, photographs, percussion industry cata- Committee. Tyson performed “Cloud Forest” assorted pairs of mallets for all interactive sta- logs, documents, journals, programs, newslet- with the Lee University Percussion Ensemble tions. Memo Acevedo of Latin Percussion has ters, and published audio recordings from as a special guest artist on the fall concert. given the museum a set of 14- and 15-inch the personal libraries of John Galm, Lynn Tyson also presented a workshop on “Compo- timbales, along with a large batá drum. Glassock, Rick Mattingly, Russ Girsberger, sition for Percussion.” The event was co-spon- Ron Vaughn donated Tp-V2 Vertical George Boberg, Thomas N. Akins, and Paul sored by Dynasty, Zildjian, and Pro-Mark. Temple Blocks with hardware, assorted Berns. Mattingly’s donation includes copies of woodblocks, cymbal, and woodblock mount- a number of patents approved by the U.S. Pat- eith Aleo—Director of Education and ing hardware, and a custom-made wood stool ent Office. Orchestral Activities at the Avedis Zild- for the Interactive Bass Log Drum station. William Kemnitz donated five DVDs Kjian Company and Percussion Faculty Member Gibraltar Hardware donated a rack mount- from the Nevada Day of Percussion (April at Boston Conservatory and Interlochen—was ing system, five cymbal stands, and a djembe 2008), documenting his appearance as a guest in residence at the University of Tennessee stand. From Dream Cymbals and Gongs we discussing his personal memories of Clair at Martin Nov. 4–6, 2011. Aleo presented an received a Feng Wind Gong, and Ivy Yu do- Omar Musser from the 1940s and also as a orchestral percussion master class on Friday to nated three djun-djun drums (10-, 12-, and featured participant in the highlight of the members of the UT Martin Percussion Studio. 15-inch models) from Tycoon’s Drum Signa- Nevada event, a marimba orchestra rehearsal On Saturday, Aleo presented a history of Zild- ture Series. and concert. From Geary Larrick we received jian cymbals, which was followed by a cymbal From Bob Bloom we received two toy a copy of a program for his recent appearance testing. During this time, all participants could drums from Noble & Cooley with painted at the Lincoln Senior Center, Stevens Point, play and experiment with the cymbals of their metal shells and paper heads. Butch Sievers Wisconsin. choice and purchase them at a discount from Amro Music (co-sponsor). On Sunday, Aleo

FEBRUARY 2012 6 percussion newS www.pas.org www.pas.org percussiON nEWS 7 FEBRUARY 2012 pal Percussionist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Next on the program was a timpani session from Kalman Cherry, who recently retired from the DSO after a 51-year career. Drew Lang, a member of the Dallas Wind Symphony, gave a clinic on creative practice for marimba. The afternoon sessions concluded with a vibraphone clinic on means of expres- sion (pedaling, dampening, improvisation) by Ed Smith. Following a short dinner break,

In Memoriam Phil Kraus 1918–2012

ercussionist Phil Kraus died January 13, P2012 in Houston, Texas. He was 93. Born in New York City in 1918, Kraus started studying xylophone at age 8. He won a full scholarship to the Juilliard School at 17. After graduation he worked L–R: Brandon Wood, Nick Prihoda, Kenneth Callaway, Keigan Warren, Luke Simpson, Chris Hakanson, in a radio band at WNEW and then Jacob Gray, Dr. Blake Tyson, VJ Tunkel, Dr. Andy Harnsberger, Paul Hayes, Victoria Betts, Orion Stephens- joined the Army during World War II, Avery, Richard Henson, Jordan Cottrell, Kenyn Brown and Nate Hicks at Lee University where he was recruited to play in the band for Irving Berlin’s This is the Army, both on performed as featured soloist with the UT Among the percussionists in the ensemble were Broadway and in the movie version. Martin Percussion Ensemble on their fall Meadows faculty member Jon Lee, director of After the war, Kraus became an in- concert. The event was sponsored by the Avedis the Meadows Percussion Ensemble, and guest demand studio musician, working in tele- Zildjian Company. artists Jeff Moore, Professor of Percussion at vision, concerts, and recording sessions in the University of Central Florida in Orlando, New York. He played the marimba riff in nders Astrand and Evaristo Aguilar pre- and Robert Bridge, Professor of Percussion Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem,” the guiro sented a clinic on improvisation and cre- at SUNY-Onondaga (Onondaga Community on “Stand by Me,” and various percussion ativityA at the University of Tennessee at Martin College) in Syracuse, NY. While on campus, instruments for such artists as Billie Hol- on Nov. 7, 2011. The event was sponsored by Moore gave a clinic on a hands-separate ap- liday, Carol King, and Ray Charles. He the UT Martin Department of Music and the proach to snare drum technical development played with groups led by Quincy Jones, UT Martin Percussion Society along with In- and Bridge taught a class on Turkish doumbek Benny Goodman, and Doc Severinson; novative Percussion and Zildjian. techniques. was in the bands of such TV shows as The Ernie Kovacs Show, The Perry Como Show, Texas outhern Methodist University hosted a Day The Jackie Gleason Show, The Ed Sullivan n Nov. 22, 2011, SYZYGY, the new of Percussion on Jan. 8 featuring clinics Show, and Howdy Doody; and played on the music ensemble at Southern Methodist Sby the Meadows Percussion Faculty. The Day soundtracks of such movies as Midnight OUniversity’s Meadows School of the Arts, per- began with a clinic on symphonic percussion Cowboy, Carrie, and The Godfather. formed Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians.” techniques, taught by Doug Howard, Princi- Kraus recorded a few albums under his own name in the 1950s for the Golden Crest label, including The Percussive Phil Kraus and Conflict, both of which include original compositions by Kraus. He teamed with drummer Bobby Rosengarden for an album on the Time label called Like— Bongos. The two went on to record albums for RCA, Decca, and Project 3 during the

photo 1960s. He worked with Dick Hyman and the Living Percussion on The Beat Goes

by On. He wrote five instructional books, L

auren including the three-volume Modern Mallet Method. V In 1978, Kraus moved to Houston, oge l Texas. He worked as personnel manager W for the Houston Symphony, taught percus- eiss sion at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and played in the Houston Pops. Doug Howard, Drew Lang, Jon Lee, and Jamal Mohamed

FEBRUARY 2012 8 percussion newS www.pas.org www.pas.org percussiON nEWS 9 FEBRUARY 2012 the Day concluded with clinics by Jamal Mo- hamed on rhythms and techniques for hand drums and John Bryant on drumset. (Howard, Smith, Mohamed, and Bryant are also mem- bers of the percussion ensemble D’Drum.) Wisconsin eary Larrick wrote an article titled “Priorities in Percussion” for the Winter G2011–12 issue of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal. ON THE ROAD

es Crawford performed a series of drumming clinics sponsored by Dream CymbalsW and Gongs in 2011, including Aug. 6 in Lititz, Penn. for a “Drums Not Drugs” event (hosted by Bobby “D” Jones), Sep. 7 in Baltimore, Md. at Mid-Atlantc Drum Shop (hosted by Keith Larsen), Sep. 22 in Radford, Va. at Radford University (hosted by Dr. Rob- ert Sanderl), Sep. 23 in Blacksburg, Va. at Vir- ginia Tech (co-hosted by Dr. Jason Crafton Maria Finkelmeier and Jacob Remington (Evolution Percussion Duo) visited Kutztown University on their and Dr. John Floyd), Sep. 23 in Roanoke, Va. U.S. tour. The percussion studio, under Dr. Frank Kumor, was the largest supporter when raising money for at the Jefferson Center Music Lab (hosted by commissions. Ryan Browning), Oct. 26 in Baltimore, Md. at Goucher College (hosted by Dr. Kendall Kennison), and Nov. 5 in Shepherdstown, In Memoriam W.Va. at Shepherd University Drumming and Percussion Festival (hosted by Dr. Michelle Ralph MacDonald Humphreys). 1944–2011 volution Percussion Duo (Maria Fin- kelmeier and Jacob Remington) recently ercussionist, songwriter and producer Ralph MacDonald died on Dec. 18, 2011. He completedE a U.S. tour spanning Alaska, Ohio, Pwas born in Harlem, New York in 1944, the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso Pennsylvania, and New York, presenting their performer “Macbeth the Great.” Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution project “Compose. Perform. Inspire. New Voic- in New York City. At 17, Ralph landed a job with Harry Belafonte that lasted 10 years and es in Percussion Music.” While in residency in introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, with whom he began writing songs. In 1966, Mac- Piteå, Sweden, the duo raised over $7,000 to Donald wrote all the songs for Belafonte’s Calypso Carnival album. commission four new pieces by four respected, At age 27, MacDonald, Bill Salter, and William Eaton started their own publishing com- young composers: Casey Cangelosi, Dave Hall, pany, Antisia Music. About two years later, Ralph was working as a percussionist with Rober- Baljinder Sekhon, and David Skidmore. The ta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called “Where Is the Love,” which he pitched to duo presented these new pieces, along with Flack. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donnie their own music, on the tour. They will record Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music. the music in February and release their first Ralph began recording with such legends as James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana CD. The entire premiere concert of the works Ross, and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington Jr. hit “Mr. Magic” can be found on YouTube. and Antisia Music placed a song called “Calypso Breakdown” on the BeeGees’ Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. That album sold 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys, ercussionist Joseph Van Hassel performed as a performer and a producer. Ralph subsequently released two albums of his own, gaining Dan VanHassel’s fzzl for electronically pre- commercial success and international recognition. paredP solo snare drum at the Electroacoustic In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington Jr.’s album Winelight. Among the Barn Dance at the University of Mary Wash- MacDonald compositions were “Winelight,” “In The Name Of Love,” and “Just The Two Of ington in Fredericksburg, Va. in October, 2011, Us,” which has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith’s 1999 and at the National Student Electronic Music adaptation of the song. In recent years, MacDonald played with Jimmy Buffett’s band. Event at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. in No- vember. The piece was written for Van Hassel, News items for the “People and Places,” “Industry News” and “On the Road” who premiered the work in April 2011 in West sections of Percussion News must be received at the PAS office within three months w Hartford, Conn. of the date of the event. Please send materials to PAS: 110 W. Washington Street, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Fax: (317) 974-4499 . E-mail: [email protected]

FEBRUARY 2012 10 percussion newS www.pas.org www.pas.org percussiON nEWS 11 FEBRUARY 2012