Every year, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) is an amazing event for many reasons.   Not only is PASIC about percussion, but it’s about people.   Connecting and reconnecting – I just love PASIC because it’s about my two favorite things in life – percussion and people!   Enjoy the photos below.

Cymbal Lab Session – Thursday Nov. 14th at 4PM.

Five students were involved and they all played beautifully.   Rep included Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony and Romeo and Juliet, Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto, Night on Bald Mountain and Dvorak Carnival Overture.  Photo of Brian Burr (left), who played Night on Bald Mountain.

Symphonic Panel Discussion  Friday Nov. 15th at 12 noon, Room 201

“Symphonic Sounds/ Genesis Percussion Teachers” – The discussion was a great success and the guests did a fabulous job.   Guests were, from L to R below: Alan Abel – Representing himself, the Philadelphia Orchestra/Temple, John Beck – Representing himself and the Eastman School, Myself (moderator), Chris McLaurin – Representing Richard Weiner/Cleveland Orchestra and John Tafoya – Representing George Gabor/Indiana University.

As a Pearl Artist, I was invited to their reception.   During the Reception they honored – Steve Weiss – with a specially designed Pearl Drum – note, the tie dye colors!   Just like Steve’s tie dyed shirts he’s so famous for.

LEFT: From L to R:  Jeremy Bramson (Pittsburg Symp), Will James (St. Louis Symp), Chris McLaurin (Kansas City Symp) RIGHT: With Ruben Zuniga (San Paulo Symp)

My favorite performances at PASIC were the three Student Percussion Ensembles – Michigan State Univ, Indiana Univ and Eastman, where two particular composers stood out for me – Ivan Trevino and Baljinder Sekhon