the official blog of the Percussive Arts Society

Fredonia Academy Week: Festival Music of Japan
with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa and the ARC Edo Ensemble
June 19–23, 2023

Join us for five days of expert instruction in the Wakayama-Shachu style of Edo Bayashi festival music and Shishimai, a Japanese traditional lion dance that is performed at many ritual events to bring good luck to communities and chase away evil. 

Participants will focus on and learn to play shimedaiko and odaiko drum rhythms, and atarigane patterns, as well as the unique dance movements of the shishimai. Additional instruction will also be available in shinobue/fue melodies for interested participants.

• CTLE credit is available
• Graduate credit is available
• Opportunities are available for beginners through advanced
• Campus housing
• Meal plans
• Choose full-day registration, or evenings only
• No previous experience necessary
• Open to the community

Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions will focus on instrumental and dance performance techniques and historical and theoretical information. Participants will be guided in small ensemble preparation that will lead toward performances in evening mini concerts, culminating with a gala, closing night, instructor/student concert (open to the public) of this ancient festival music of Japan.

Registration info
Early bird discount available until may 1.
History & Culture (evenings only): $300 until May 1 ($400 after May 1).
History & Culture AND Applied Performance Techniques (full day/evening): $450 until May 1 ($700 after May 1)

Contact: Dr. Kay Stonefelt: stonefel@fredonia.edu
Details and Registration: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/academy-week

CALIFORNIA
Camp Fareta 2022
When: June 6–12, 2022
Where: Central California
Course of Study: We are so grateful to once again be able to come together to celebrate the beautiful African dances and rhythms that we love so much. We hope you will join us in our village of dancers and drummers! Many of your favorite artists will be returning, led by our artistic director, Youssouf Koumbassa, from Guinea, West Africa.  There will be a beautiful mix of dance and drum styles from Guinea, Mali, and Senegal (and maybe more). There will be classes at different levels, to help you learn at your own pace.  There will also be dundun dance classes and singing classes.  We may be adding other dance and drum styles, so stay tuned for updates.
Faculty: Artists who are likely to attend include M'Bemba Bangoura, Bolokada Conde, Wadaba Kourouma, Fode Bangoura, Mangue Sylla, Bongo Sidibe, Marietou Camara, Marie Basse Wiles, Ibou Ngom, Idrissa Gueye, Djeneba Sako, and Moussa Traore. New this year are Aicha Camara and Khadijah Koumbassa Sakho. We'll also have Mohamed Kouyate and Boka Kouyate providing beautiful music for us, and Monette Marino will teach women's drum classes.
More Info: dancingvillage.com/camp_fareta.php

NEW JERSEY
Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Seminar
When: June 6–17,2022
Where: Asbury Park, NJ or virtually online
Course of Study: The 43rd annual Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Seminar invites college-aged and older percussionists to join in for two weeks of study with marimba virtuoso and pioneer Leigh Howard Stevens. Choose to participate in-person or online and get experience that will shape your playing for the rest of your life. The faculty of world-class musicians and educators will cover a variety of topics including: technique, memorization systems, tone production, repertoire, acoustics, practice techniques, career development, history, and more! While the space for online participation is unlimited, there are limited spots available for the in-person experience in New Jersey. 
Faculty: Michael Burritt, Warren Wolf, Susan Powell, Eric Sammut, Hyeji Bak, John Parks, and Tatiana Koleva.
More Info: mostlymarimba.com/lhs-summer-marimba-seminar/

ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois University Percussion Camp
When: July 5–9, 2022
Where: DeKalb, IL
Course of Study: Open to middle school and high school percussionists, the NIU Percussion Camp celebrates world-class faculty working with students in workshops, classes, and ensembles on the charming NIU School of Music Campus with a small footprint in students’ summer music and family schedules. Percussion students who have completed grades 6–12 at all levels of experience perform in concert percussion ensembles, samba bands, steel drum ensembles, participate in classes on snare drum, drum set, timpani, and keyboard percussion, attend faculty recitals, and more. The week concludes with a final concert for parents and friends. 
Faculty: Bret Kuhn – snare drum, drum set; Gregory Beyer – timpani, concert accessories, Brazilian percussion; Yuko Asada – steel drum ensemble; Steve Lundin – middle school percussion ensemble, Ugandan percussion/Amadinda; Ben Wahlund – high school percussion ensemble, workshop director, faculty ensemble director
Additional Faculty and Counselors: Angela Kepley – keyboard percussion; Daniel Jack – snare drum
Tuition: $700; includes t-shirt, name tags, dorms, all meals, and activities; scholarships and early registration discounts available.
More Info: niu.edu/external-programs/summer-camps/percussion.shtml

GERMANY
The DG European Jazz Intensive
When: October 13–17, 2022
Where: Groovekiste Drum Academy, German Rhineland region
More Info: danielglass.com/2021-euro-jazz-intensive/

ARIZONA
CGCC Summer Percussion Workshop
When: June 6–9, 2022; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
Where: Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Chandler, Arizona
Course of Study: The CGCC Summer Percussion Workshop is designed to promote percussion participation and instruct students in the areas of percussion ensemble and solo percussion performance. This workshop is open to high school percussion students, including those entering high school in the fall and 2022 high school graduates. Students will spend time in ensemble rehearsal as well as in topical- and solo performance-based masterclasses. The final day (Thursday) of the workshop will feature either a Solo & Ensemble Percussion Recital or ensemble recording session (depending on current COVID protocols).
Tuition: $100 (one-credit tuition plus college fees for Maricopa residents)
Contact: Josh Gottry, workshop director: joshua.gottry@cgc.edu

Tócalo Tucson Summer Chamber Percussion Seminar 

When: June 4–11, 2022
Where: Fred Fox School of Music, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Course of Study: Tócalo Tucson is a week-long chamber percussion and composition seminar. Our 2022 guest faculty include Russell Hartenberger (Nexus, Steve Reich Ensemble) and Michael Burritt (keyboard percussion virtuoso, Eastman School of Music). Over the course of eight days, program participants will work closely with faculty in small chamber settings preparing notable works for performance on two dedicated concerts in Crowder Concert Hall, Friday, June 10 (“On the Precipice” Composition Residency Concert), and Saturday, June 11 (Tócalo Tucson Chamber Percussion Concert), 2022. These concerts are free to the public. The daily schedule will include two to three different rehearsal blocks, and daily clinics presented by one of our guest artists. Over the course of the week, a masterclass setting for lessons will also be provided to participants, optional group hikes, and visits to local Tucson landmarks will also occur.
Info: tocalotucson.org

CUBA
KoSA Cuba & Mantanzas Jazz Festival
When: April 28–May 5, 2022
Where: Hotel Velasco
Tuition: $2,220 USD (double occupancy) or $2,350 USD (single occupancy). Cost is per-person, which includes two meals per day, hotel, classes, and excursions. Non-participant packages are also available.
Info: kosamusic.com/kosa-cuba/

VIRGINIA
Virginia International PAN Fest
When: May 6–7, 2022
Program Description: Join world-class performers for a celebration of Caribbean music at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Virginia Arts Festival announces the Virginia International PANFest will return for 2022! The evening of May 6 will feature a performance on the 24th Street Stage from Steel Sensation, with local favorites Nature’s Child as the opening act. On Saturday, May 7, registered steel band ensembles in four different categories (Elementary/Middle, High School, Private Studio, or Community) will be adjudicated in the Virginia International PANFest competition. This event is free and open to the public to attend. Bands alternate in 15–20 minute performances between two stages. That evening, enjoy local music from the Jesse Chong Band, followed by a short awards ceremony honoring all the competing bands, concluding with a performance from Brooklyn-based steel band Steel Sensation.
Info: vafest.org/panfest

Virginia International PANFest Workshop
When: Friday, May 6; 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center
Course of Study: Participating steel bands and individuals will be divided up by sections (high pans, middle pans, and low/bass pans) to get instruction from some of the foremost teachers in the steel band community before coming together to perform a mass band tune. These cross-ensemble sectionals will give students the opportunity to meet and perform with a wide range of players from around the U.S. while developing the techniques needed to execute a high level of musicianship.
Info: vafest.org/panfest