Last night, in Indianapolis, Indiana the Canton Bluecoats captured 2016 DCI World-class championship with a score of 97.650. This was the first time that the Bluecoats have won the DCI Championship. Their show pushed the boundaries of visual design with the use of large red slides that were moved throughout the field. Over the past couple years, the Bluecoats have continued to innovate in the DCI competition and this year they were rewarded for their handwork and dedication to the art form. Congratulations to all the corps who participated. The top 5 groups are listed below. For a complete recap of the 2016 DCI Championship, visit DCI Scores.
1) Bluecoats – 97.650
2) Blue Devils – 97.250
3) Carolina Crown – 97.088
4) Santa Clara Vanguard – 95.300
5) The Cavaliers – 94.025
Full disclosure: I am the percussion product manager for Yamaha Corporation of America. I attended the DCI competition as a Yamaha employee.
The Great Plains International Marimba Competition just completed three days of great marimba performances. There were 30 semi-finalists (16 high school and 14 college) that competed for the top three spots in the high and college divisions.
Congratulations to the 2016 Great Plains International Marimba Winners! (more…)
We are in the middle of summer and there are only 166 shopping days until Christmas. How’s your summer going so far? Have you been productive and accomplished your goals? It has been a busy summer for me and I still have a lot of items to check off my to-do list. I have been busy reading and listening to the #AskGaryVee podcast and book. If you are looking for some summer inspiration, take some time and watch, read or listen to something he has produced and let me know what you think. Have a great week and check out the articles below. Leave a comment below and let me know what you are reading. Stay tuned for an announcement about a summer book reading club later this week. (more…)
Corresponding Points of Self-Similar Lines in a Terminal Cadence (2011-2015) by Steve Kornicki
I have been fortunate to work, play and commission works by Steve Kornicki. I have always enjoyed his music and I was happy to see his new piece by Ensemble P4.
Kristie Born, piano
Rose Shlyam Grace, piano
Marja Kerney, vibraphone
Thad Anderson, marimba
Ensemble P4 is an intercollegiate piano and percussion quartet based in Central Florida. (more…)
“I am honored the Board of Directors has entrusted me with leading this distinguished organization and am eager to start working with members around the world to build on 55 years of amazing history. Together, we will ensure PAS continues to be the global leader in percussion and drumming, and as our mission states, inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.” (more…)
Karyokinesis, an original mallet quartet, composed by Aaron DeWayne Williams, for xylophone, vibraphone, and 2 marimbas. Aaron was a student of mine at CSULB. He is an amazing musician and tap dancer.
All video and audio recorded, edited, and mixed by Aaron DeWayne Williams.
“I firmly believe that music will someday become a “universal language.” But it will not become so as long as our musical vision is limited to the output of four European countries between 1700 and 1900. The first step in the right direction is to view the music of all peoples and periods without prejudice of any kind, and to strive to put the world’s known and available best music into circulation. Only then shall we be justified in calling music a “universal language.”
Percy Graniger (June 20, 1933)
Thanks to Chal Ragsdale for sharing this quote with me.
YouTube is an amazing resource for world music. Here’s a great example of some of the videos I have been watching lately. Amazing Balafon music from Africa. What have you been watching? Leave a comment below.
It is graduation time and all over the US, college and university students are walking down the aisle and moving on to grad schools, internships and other opportunities that are waiting for them. For some, this is also a time of uncertainty while they figure out the next step. Being a musician/artist is difficult. Not kind of difficult or even a little difficult, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. I recently watched a video GaryVee posted on YouTube (What to do After College) where he talks about taking the next 5 years of your life to build your career path. It is all about the hustle! That means turn off Netflix/YouTube/SnapChat and make every minute count. Below are some other sources of inspiration. I hope you find them enriching as you grow and continue down your path. Good luck and please feel free to leave a comment if I can ever do anything for you. (more…)
