| Palen Percussion Preview
is a non-competitive drumline festival with world-class
clinicians focused on groups of all sizes and ability
levels! Each group will receive a performance slot, a
20-minute clinic, and then a private meeting for the
director to visit with the clinician.
There is no need to wear uniforms, do any movement,
or play the whole show. This non-competitive event is
about percussion education, supporting other groups, and
identifying areas of strength and weakness as you
prepare for the competitive fall season. Most groups
perform a movement or two from their show. We encourage
you to stick around to listen to other groups perform,
and then learn from the comments and instruction given
by the clinicians. We are also very excited to welcome
back Missouri State University as the finale
performance.
Entry fee is
$100 per group. Deadline for entry is August 31st. There
is only space for 20 groups, so act quickly to reserve
your spot.
Feature photos provided by Aaron Bryan |
Judging Panel
Charles Pisarra is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and is
the percussion specialist and assistant band director at
Union High School. He coordinates all aspects of
percussion education and curriculum development,
including instruction of students in grades 6-12,
advanced percussion techniques, high school marching
band, indoor drumline, and solos/ensembles. The indoor
competitive drumline won the 2012 Oklahoma circuit state
championship. Union High School is a multi-year Bands of
America Grand Nationals Finalist. Mr. Pisarra holds
bachelors and masters degrees from the University of
Oklahoma, has performed as a member of the the Concord
Blue Devils, and instructed on staff with the Colts, and
consulted with the WGI Championship Finalist River
Valley Independent Percussion Ensemble.
Dr. John Wooton is the director of percussion
studies at The University of Southern Mississippi. He is
well versed in many percussion instruments but has
specialized in rudimental snare drum, drum set, marimba,
vibraphone and steel pans. Dr. Wooton directs the
Percussion Ensemble, Steel Pan Orchestra, Graduate
Percussion Ensemble and the Samba Band. Prior to his
position at Southern Mississippi, Dr. Wooton taught at
the University of Iowa. He marched with the Phantom
Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and later held the
position of percussion caption head. While a member of
Phantom Regiment, he held the Midwest Individual Snare
Drum title and the Percussive Arts Society Snare Drum
individual title. Dr. Wooton is author of "The Drummer's
Rudimental Reference Book". For more information, visit
www.johnwooton.com.
Lee Beddis is a native of Toronto, Ontario,
Canada. He spent his youth with the Peterborough
Krescendos, the Canadian Knights and the Kitchener Dutch
Boy Drum Corps. He would later move south to join the
ranks of the World Champion Garfield Cadets in order to
become part of the now-legendary "perfect" percussion
line of 1987. After winning his second title in 1990, he
aged out, swiftly moving into the role of instructor.
Mr. Beddis has been on staff with the Madison Scouts,
Star of Indiana and the Phantom Regiment. It was there,
in 1996, that Lee helped capture the World title with
his ambitious work for "The Defiant Heart," an
all-Shostakovich program. In 1997, he turned his skills
to the rebuilding of the Toledo, Ohio, Glassmen. Within
the year, his expertise found immediate reward, moving
that section into the forefront world-class recognition.
After the successful 2000 season, he moved to the
Crossmen, where he remained until his appointment as
Percussion Coordinator to the Madison Scouts. Lee's
unique reputation as a program builder prepared him for
the role of returning the 2005 and 2006 Madison line to
elite status. In 2007, Lee's unique reputation of
building quality percussion programs with success in
short periods of time fit in right with Carolina Crown's
desired level of success. Lee's experience at all levels
of instruction from tech, to caption head, arranger and
percussion coordinator make him the perfect choice for
leading the Crown percussion section in 2007 and beyond.
We would like to thank Yamaha for sponsoring Mr. Beddis’
appearance at the Palen Percussion Preview. |
