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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on March 20, 2009 at 2:52pm

Joyce,
Some more particulars might help here. Is this marching snare drum line? Is it indoor percussion ensemble? Are non-majors in the group? What are the objectives? Are they self-contained or are they to be part of a larger ensemble?

RW

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Permalink Reply by Joyce Hibser on March 21, 2009 at 3:35pm

I don't mean to be vague, but we are sort of mis-matched. We have a couple concert snares....one doesn't sound very good. We have a floor tom from an obsolete set that is little more than a toy. We have some hand-me-down quads that are in pretty bad shape, but I put new heads on them, so they don't sound TOOOO bad. They are on a shoulder harness that's really too big for any of my little kids. We have crash cymbals, a suspended cymbal, and a concert bass drum. There is one particular event in which they like to participate. It takes place outside, but is not a marching event. I don't want to put anyone else in it but my percussionists. In the past other band students were allowed to play percussion in this ensemble. The drum line is going to be self-contained, though they ARE part of the band. THEIR objectives are to sound COOL, and to beat other middle school drum lines in the area, in a competition...judged by I don't know.... Not DCI or anything. MY objectives are to teach them to count, to read, to learn rudiments, to listen, to focus, to play together, to have a work ethic...need I go on?

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Permalink Reply by Russ Weaver on March 22, 2009 at 3:13am

"Where to find?"
If we have the exact instrumentation you wish to use, we can make more specific suggestions.
Are you looking for ensemble pieces or cadences?
How often are they to rehearse? How many rehearsals before the performance?

I like to use the folks at "Row-loff" their url is:

http://www.rowloff.com/

Great stuff for all levels.

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Permalink Reply by Rod Lowery on March 29, 2009 at 9:01am

Russ et al:

I like the Rowloff stuff - their library has grown geometrically! I recommend their "Percussion Discussion" series (teacher guide and books for all of the students).

Also, check out (and have the students check out) the resources on the Vic Firth site - Russ has that linked from here, and it's a tremendous resource.

Happy drumming!
Rod

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Permalink Reply by Joyce Hibser on March 30, 2009 at 10:02am

Thanks a lot, Rod. I have already checked out Rowl Off. I know you see my perspective. I want the kids to have fun and feel "cool" and YET, productive. I want them to learn, not just pound!

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