Summer Percussion Camp
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Summer Percussion Camp - August 2-7, 2009
The five-day Summer Percussion Camp is designed to give percussion students the resources to further their percussion skills. The staff will cover many styles of percussion with emphasis given to the development of strong technical fundamentals and exposure to percussion ensemble playing. All students will have the opportunity to attend different types of master classes and perform on a wide variety of percussion instruments.
All students will have the option to receive private lessons from camp staff members. All students will perform in a percussion ensemble directed by camp staff members.
The students will have the opportunity to socialize and use many of the University's recreational facilities.
Prospective Campers
Middle school through high school percussionists are encouraged to apply. Early application is recommended as the camp size will be controlled to allow students to receive significant instructional time. Current high school seniors are welcome.
Camp Staff
Camp Director
Tobie Wilkinson, Director of Percussion Studies at UW-Whitewater, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Music from Rice University. Mr. Wilkinson has performed professionally with numerous ensembles in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Texas. Additionally, he has extensive experience in chamber music as he was a member of the acclaimed Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, which has eight CD's as well as international performances to its credit.
Now in his fifth year as director of the UW-Whitewater Percussion Camp, Mr. Wilkinson continues to offer a camp designed by percussionists addressing the specific needs of the contemporary percussion student via technique classes, clinics, and percussion ensembles. Mr. Wilkinson is a champion of percussion education, and has created this camp to offer young percussionists a chance to grow on their instrument. Mr. Wilkinson is on the education team for Vic Firth Inc. and endorses Dynasty Percussion. He is also the Secretary for the Wisconsin Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. His other memberships include the Music Educators National Conference and the American Federation of Musicians. Mr. Wilkinson remains active as a private teacher, adjudicator, and clinician.
Derek Crawford
Drummer Derek Crawford has come a long way from his humble origins in Port Huron, MI. Taking an interest in drums at age seven, he has gone from basement band beginnings to being a skilled professional who has become a recognizable face on the Chicago music scene. He brings a distinctive percussive voice to any situation he plays in while displaying versatility not found in many musicians. He is equal parts rock and jazz and is at home locking into a tight rock and roll groove or stretching a composition to its improvisational limits. His style could be described as "John Bonham meets Stewart Copeland at a Miles Davis gig."
While attending Central Michigan University, Crawford studied classical percussion under the late Robert Hohner. He performed as a member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble and recorded with this nationally recognized group on composer David Gillingham's Stained Glass: Music for Percussion. Crawford, in addition to his reputation as an authority on vintage drums and his experience as a drum tech for artists ranging from Peter Erskine to The Verve Pipe, has consistently performed and recorded with the best talent Chicago has to offer. A partial list of credits would include: Dick Prall, Ruben Waters Loves You, Bleary, Sunday Runners, John Fournier, Todd Bowie, John Munson (Semisonic), Mike Hoffmann (E.I.E.I.O.), Genuine Goat, Starch Martins, Frank Catalano, The Northwoods Improvisors, Fareed Haque, Ellen Rosner, The Convulsions, Ari Brown, and The All Rectangle. Derek Crawford is also a Trick Drums artist.
Kelley Radowick
Kelley Radowick has been teaching middle and high school students for over five years. Radowick received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University where she was a member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble and student of the late Robert Hohner. Radowick currently teaches elementary music, percussion ensemble, and percussion lessons in the Woodhaven School District. Her ensembles have consistently received outstanding ratings at Michigan solo & ensemble festivals. She has also taught and arranged for high school drumlines throughout the State of Michigan. Radowick maintains an active teaching and performing schedule and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society.
Ron Raaymakers
Director of Strike Percussion Ensemble, Don received his Music Education degree from Central Michigan University where he studied with the highly esteemed late Robert Hohner. Currently, Don is the band director at Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia, Mich. Don played with the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble for six years in which time he recorded three CD's, "Far More Drums" for Sony and DMP, "Third Wind" (independently released), and a third disc which has not yet been released. Don has also taught four years of the Central Michigan Percussion Workshop and eight years of marching band camps. Strike was created in the fall of 1996 with only a few members.
Now having grown close to fifty percussionists, Strike has played many venues such as the Grand Rapids Festival, Van Singel Museum, Michigan Youth Arts Festival, PASIC, and many more. Strike prides themselves on the many genres of music they play and the complexity of the music as well as the hours of dedication put forth. Strike continues to grow musically as they live by the philosophy of Don's late teacher, "Play beautiful music, become beautiful people."
Instructional Focus
At the beginning of the camp, students will be placed in percussion ensembles and small groups for master classes according to age and ability. Each student will have the opportunity to attend master classes in the following areas and may request special instruction about them in an optional private lesson.
- Grip and Snare Drum Technique: Discussion will include how to grip the snare drum stick appropriately. The development of strong technique will be emphasized.
- Drum Set: Playing time and soloing will be discussed. Students will learn different styles of time playing, with special emphasis on Latin music, jazz, and funk. Classes will also discuss important drummers, especially in the history of jazz and the drumset.
- Mallet Percussion: Students will learn strategies for improving reading skills and proper technique on mallet instruments. Four mallet grips and technique will also be covered.
- Symphonic Percussion: Students will be exposed to proper technique using cymbals, tambourine, castanets, and other accessory instruments.
- Timpani: Tuning, proper playing techniques, sound production, and mallet selection will be covered.
- Hand Percussion: Styles of music will be offered for students in a hands-on context. Frame drum, congas, and other types of hand percussion will be covered.
Other topics may include: buying and finding mallets, solo percussion, counting, mixed meters, improvising, marching percussion, and preparing college auditions.
Facilities
UW-Whitewater is proud of its strong music department and facilities. Each student will have access to a variety of percussion instruments including marimbas with extended range, timpani, drum sets, and a variety of hand percussion instruments. The University maintains an attractive campus with full recreational services including swimming.
Student Preparation
Experience in the student's school music program is highly recommended but not required for admission to the camp. Students will be required to play a short placement audition for camp percussion ensembles. Music will be sent to students with their camp information packets. Students may prepare two or three solos if desired. Solos may be performed on snare drum, mallets, timpani, or drum set.
Equipment
Each student should bring his/her own sticks and mallets. A complete assortment of mallets is not necessary; each student should only bring what he/she currently owns. Students do not need to bring drums or any other instruments as they will be provided. A practice pad would be useful but is not required.
Other Activities
Camp staff will present performances for the students. These performances are free and open to the public. On Friday evening, the camp will conclude with student performances. Parents are encouraged to attend these performances when they come to pick up their child.
Camp Fees
Resident $415
Includes room, all meals, recitals, access to all instruments, camp insurance, t-shirt, and tuition.
Commuter $340
Includes lunch and dinner, recitals, access to all instruments, camp insurance, t-shirt, and tuition.
Special Notice
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is committed to equal opportunity in its educational programs, activities and employment policies, for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, creed, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, Vietnam-era veteran status, parental status and pregnancy.
If you have any disabling condition that requires special accommodations or attention, please advise us well in advance. We will make every effort to accommodate your special needs.
Contact Information
Office of Continuing Education Services
2005 Roseman, UW-Whitewater
Whitewater, Wisconsin
(262) 472-3165
Email: cesevents@uww.edu
