Today’s video features a beautiful vibraphone solo by Kyle Gann called Olana performed by Brad Meyer. Kyle Gann is a composer and was new-music critic for the Village Voice from 1986 to 2005. Since 1997 he has taught music theory, history, and composition at Bard College. This piece, as well as many of his other compositions, are available for free on his website.
As many of you know yesterday was SOPA/PIPA (Stop Online Piracy Act/Protect IP Act) internet Blackout Day. All across the web significant websites, (Google and Wikipedia to name just a few) in various ways, protested against these anti-piracy bills by going black or offering specific instructions on how visitors can protest.
No one is questioning that stealing and pirating digital content is wrong, however, it is clear that our politicians have no real working knowledge of how the web works. These bills, if passed, could very easily take Drumchattr down WITHOUT due process. One photo, link, or background song in a video would be all it would take for the content companies to shut us down.
So what about a compromise? How do we stop online piracy without breaking the internet? Before I would be willing to support a compromise, I would want specific proof that piracy actually hurts the large content creators. There is no such proof because the nature of the web disallows the gathering of such information. I attest that no effort to curb piracy by any government will be successful as pirates will always find a work around. Has anyone been able to fix “spam”?
WordPress, which went dark yesterday in protest, is the very platform that this NEW BUSINESS is built upon. Imagine what would happen to the blogosphere if these bills pass and WordPress.org gets censored.
In a stunning result, over 7 Million people signed a petition against these bills through Googles site alone. In one day, as a direct action to the extreme protests online, 13 congress representatives switched their stance from pro SOPA to anti SOPA, causing serious doubt that the bills will pass. While this is good news, it isn’t over yet. The large content creating industries in Hollywood will continue to push this forward. So, we must continue to act.
Please consider joining the ground swell by signing the petition, telling congress no it SOPA/PIPA. In the meantime check out these two videos, the above and below. They show great explanations of what is really at stake.
While this post features no drum or percussion content these issues are so important we felt the need to get the word out to our valued readers. Thanks for reading and for your continued support.
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on January 19, 2012.
Guest post by Matt Bronson.
This year’s PASIC was one that was very special to me. I was unable to go last year for a few reasons, some financial, and some scheduling. Although I was not able to attend for the whole weekend, i could tell that this year i really needed to go. It seemed as though half way through my Junior year, it was time to Recharge my batteries, regain some inspiration, and most of all have a great time. Fortunate to have two great friends also attending from the studio at WCSU, we were able to plan flights appropriately, and split the hotel cost.
The first night was incredible, seeing Steve Schick perform as well as So Percussion was an amazing experience. After a long day of traveling we went back to our hotel the “La Quinta” (Very affordable Place to stay next time its in Indy) and crashed. The next day was exciting, two great drum set clinics, Billy Martin’s “Life on Drums” clinic, and John Riley’s clinic, “The Art of Improvisation.” Both Clinics were fantastic, and i recommend both artists books if you haven’t checked them out yet. Billy’s book interestingly enough, is in non western notation, its pretty cool.
Before both of these clinics, something amazing happened. Me and my roommate Matt, after spending a few hours in the showroom, were sitting outside of one of the clinic rooms looking over some music we had purchased. While waiting for doors to open, a man came up to us both and asked if we would mind if he sat with us. We of course said it was okay, and he proceeded to sit and talk drums with us. This is one of my favorite parts of PASIC. Tons of drummers and percussionist congregating together simply because they love playing, teaching and learning. As he sat down, we began talking. He had never really been exposed to Billy Martin. A big fan, i began telling him about his new DVD and book. After i told him about this he asked if i would be at the John Riley clinic happening later that day. I told him that i would definitely be there, and that I hadn’t had a lot of exposure to John Riley, but had heard a ton of great things. After this, he asked me if i would watch his things for a moment and i told him no problem. He literally went sprinting off. Some time passed, and as soon as i looked at my watch wondering where he had gone, he returned. He had Both of John Rileys books, “The Art of Bop Drumming” and “Beyond Bop Drumming” in his hands. He handed them to me and said, “You’d better check these out.”
It all happened so fast that when i looked down for a moment to look at the books, he was already on his way into Billy Martins clinic which was just starting. I yelled Thank you and he gave me a thumbs up. I quickly got up and grabbed my things to tell him again how thankful i was. When i entered the room, there were already so many people inside that i had lost him. Determined, i looked around for a while before i gave up and the clinic was officially starting. Amazed at this experience, i must have told everyone i knew that day about this incredibly generous man i had met.
The next day while browsing the Malletech Booth i recognized him and was able to finally shake his hand and formally thank him. John Riley was at the Alfred Booth later that day and was also able to sign both books for me. Having a terrible memory, today i cannot remember this kind mans name, although i want to remind everyone in the Percussion world how fortunate we are to have events like PASIC to bring us all together as a community. Experiences like the one i had are ones that make the world of percussion unique.
If the man who did this for me happens to read this by any chance, I want him to know how much his kind gesture touched me. Also, that I’ve been tearing apart “The Art of Bop Drumming” ever since i got back from Indy 😉
This is a very inspiring story and speaks well of the experience that is PASIC. Do you have similar stories about your experiences? Leave them below the post.
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on January 16, 2012.
Patsy Dash, as most know, has been a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra percussion section since 1986. In this brief excerpt, she speaks about her introduction to music, and discusses some of the life lessons we learn as musicians. Sometimes I think we get wrapped up in the details of being a musician, and overlook some of the basic things that she addresses. Enjoy.
From the NPR Field Recordings comes a video performance of Michael Gordon’s Timber, written for six two-by-fours, performed by Mantra. This performance was filmed live at Lowe’s Home Center. Mantra has been performing this piece for the past couple of months, including a performance at PASIC 2011 in Indy, and it is great to see that the group and the piece are being recognized on national broadcasts. Congrats Mantra and Michael Gordon!
Originally posted on DrumChattr on January 13, 2012.
Today we start a new series in preparation of my upcoming performance of Eric Ewazen’s “Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra”. Do you think the general audience is interested in gaining a peak “behind the music”? After hearing my thoughts about the beginning of the 1st movement what are yours? Leave your comments below the video or in the comments.
Originally posted on DrummChattr.com on January 12, 2012 by Thomas Burritt.
Skype Lessons with Dr. Gerhart