Keith Carrick Joins Artist Roster!

Utah Symphony Principal Percussionist Keith Carrick joined the Utah Symphony as Principal Percussionist in 2012. From 2007 to 2012, he was Principal Percussionist of the Sarasota Orchestra, and appeared as guest soloist with the orchestra on several occasions. While in Sarasota, Keith was also on faculty at the State College of Florida. Keith has performed and taught extensively across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Originally from Mt. Airy, Maryland, Keith began his musical studies at age 8 in the public schools and at age 15 honed his classical training through the National Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Fellowship Program. He went on to graduate from Boston University as a student of Tim Genis, and the New England Conservatory as a student of Will Hudgins (both Grover Pro endorsers).

Keith can be heard on Andrew Beall’s album ‘Deliverance’ available through BMP records, and as a performer on the premiere performances and premiere recordings of Joan Tower’s Splendid Wood and Gunther Schuller’s Grand Concerto for Percussion and Keyboards available through Naxos records. He has previously attended the Tanglewood Music Center, Verbier Festival, and the Music Academy of the West.

When not performing with the Utah Symphony, Keith enjoys travelling, hiking, kayaking, and rafting with his wife Kyra.

SilverFox Ridiculous Stick Tricks Winners Announced!

Click below to see the winner and runners-up!

Thanks to everyone who entered, everyone who voted, and everyone who helped publicize this contest. Stay tuned for another SilverFox event this summer!

Pace-setting Percussionists

Percussion Trio Line Upon Line’s busy concert season comes to a close with performances at the Menil Collection, the Protos Festival, and an appearance at the Victoria Bach Festival.

This summer the group will begin work on four new commissions, soon to be added to their expanding repertoire. FOr more info about the group CLICK HERE.

Five Tips To Perfecting A “Thumb Roll”

Many young percussionists have trouble executing a tambourine thumb or finger roll. While it is a relatively easy technique to master, students often ignore spending the time necessary to develop good technique.

Here are a few tips to expedite the learning process:

1. Keep the thumb (or finger) bent back and stiff.
2. Use light pressure against the head (pushing hard hinders vibration).
3. Make sure the finger travels forward around the circumference (not sideways).
4. Move around the edge slowly.
5. Moisten the finger or use beeswax or a “Roll-Ring” to help execution.

While the thumb roll is not too difficult to master, it is a technique that is often called for and execution must be both consistent and accurate.

For more info on playing thumb rolls check out my “One Minute Thumb Roll” video. Or, for in-depth study get a copy of “The Art Of Tambourine & Triangle Playing“, by me and Gar Whaley.

Record Set @ CT Drum Show!

We just returned from our first appearance the Connecticut Drum Show and we couldn’t be more excited! Attendance was strong, the mood was upbeat, and sales were brisk! This was our first “outing” of the dynamic, new, Grover Custom drums – the response can only be summed up as overwhelming.

Here is a partial list of drums we had on display:

• 6″x14″ 10-ply maple with double inlay
• 6″x14″ Solid Cocobolo shell with black chrome
• 5.5″x14″ solid Osage Orange shell with die cast hoops
• 6.5″x14″ 5-play maple over carbon fibre shell with black chrome

 
In addition, I got to hang out with some of my professional buddies like drumming legends Zoro, Bernard Purdie, industry veteran Lennie DiMuzio and Mike Sarabello (one of the original members of Santana).

Hope to see you all there next year!

[View with PicLens]

Grover Custom Featured in DRUM! Magazine

We are featured in the “Meet Your Maker” segment in the May 2013 issue of DRUM! Magazine:

Catch Us In Connecticut!

We’ll be on hand exhibiting a gorgeous array of our new custom drums from our GroverCustom.com shop.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday…. at the Connecticut Vintage & Custom Drum Show!

In addition to getting a chance to play on our new custom drums, clinics will be presented by R&B legend Bernard Purdie and groover-master Zoro!

So be sure to stop by and check it out! We’ll look forward to seeing you there.

When: Sunday, April 21st 10am – 5pm

Where: The Sphinx Shriners Center
3066 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, Connecticut 06111

Robert McCormick Featured on TampaClassical.com

Back in 1931 the term “Ionization” wasn’t a common household term. It was, however, the title of a pioneering piece of music by Edgar Varese that helped launch the realm of Percussion Ensemble music as a genre in its own right.

“Ionization has been recognized as one of the most important works of the 20th century both historically and as a cohesive work of literature,” said Robert McCormick, Professor of Music at the University of South Florida.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE

Grover Pro Welcomes Sue Hadjopoulos

Sue established herself in the field of contemporary rock and pop music when she teamed up with Joe Jackson on the classic platinum-selling CD “Night & Day” and accompanying world tour. As a direct result of her work on “Night & Day”, she garnered laudatory press around the globe and Modern Drummer Magazine 1982 Readers Poll voted Sue one of their favorite top 5 percussionists.

Sue was also a featured player on the Grammy award winning CD, “Symphony No. 1″ by Joe Jackson. Sue continues her collaboration with Joe Jackson and legendary engineer/producer Elliot Scheiner on “The Duke”, a Duke Ellington tribute CD and has just returned from a world tour with Joe Jackson and the Bigger Band featuring Regina Carter (Nov 2012).

Sue’s smooth blend of pop/salsa rhythms has since become her trademark. Known for her versatility, inspired percussion arrangements and strong vocal harmonies, she has since worked with such diverse artists as: Joe Jackson, Simple Minds, Cyndi Lauper, Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Clarence Clemons, Tom Waits, Southside Johnny and the La Bamba Big Band, The B-52s, Basia, Barry Manilow, Kenny Loggins, Toni Braxton, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Toshi Reagon, Bernice Johnson Reagon, They Might Be Giants, Rickie Lee Jones, Davy Jones (Monkees), Mic Jones (Foreigner), Jane Siberry, Vicki Sue Robinson, Teena Marie and renowned singer songwriter Laura Nyro.

Sue’s percussion can be heard on numerous TV commercials and movie soundtracks. She has appeared in many music videos and has performed on major network TV shows all over the world including: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Dave Letterman Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Johnny Carson , Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Saturday Night Live, and The American Music Awards.

Sue’s composing credits include co-writing, arranging, producing and performing the song “Breaking Up” for the movie, BAR GIRLS, an Orion Pictures release. Other collaborations include her song, “Regresando A La Diosa”, which appears on the compilation CD, IN CONCERT…2010 produced by Local 802/AFM in support of the Musician’s Emergency Relief Fund. Theatrical collaborations include co-writing the music/libretto and creating the sound design for THE ROSE SLIPPERS, a Latin-tinged musical (inspired by the Jose Marti poem “Los Zapaticos de Rosa”) and produced in NYC which garnered a rave review from the NYTimes and won third prize in the 2004 Jackie White National Memorial Children’s theater competition.

She has been interviewed in Modern Drummer, Drum! Magazine, Classic (Vintage) Drummer, Modern Percussionist, Musico Pro, InTune Monthly Magazine, Rhythm Magazine (UK) and Slagwerkkrant Magazine (Holland). She has also written feature articles for RockrGrl Magazine, Drummergirl.com, Modern Drummer and Drum! Magazine.

Sue is currently working on a variety of theater, film, songwriting projects and original bands.

Announcing the SilverFox Ridiculous Stick Tricks Contest!