Issue #18 •  September 2004
IN THIS ISSUE

•  Features:
      Vic Firth's Salute to DCI, DCA 2004
     Artist Video Interviews: Kenny Aronoff, Tom Float

•   Hot Picks:
     Shazam: A Collection of 16 Solos by John Pollard

•  Product Spotlight:
     Tim Genis Signature Timpani Mallet Series

•  Welcome to the Team
     Dr. Michael Varner, J.J. Pipitone
    The Vic Firth Education Team Continues to Grow!
Quick Clicks
 FEATURES

Vic Firth's Salute To D.C.I. 2004 Championships

Join us online for Vic Firth's Salute to D.C.I. 2004, with pictures and "in the lot" video footage of your favorite Vic Firth drumlines!

Congratulations to all of the Vic Firth Division I Finalists: Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, The Cadets, Madison Scouts, Boston Crusaders, Blue Knights and Crossmen. Once again, more corps choose Vic Firth than all other sticks combined!

A special word of commendation to Education Team Member Murray Gusseck and members of the Santa Clara Vanguard for winning the Fred Sanford High Percussion trophy! Check out Murray's recent article on how he rehearses the SCV drumline with Vic's SIH1 headphones here!

News Update: D.C.A. 2004 Championships

Congratulations to the 2004 DCA World Champions - Empire Statesmen! They captured the title this past Labor Day weekend with a score of 96.863. Special congratulations to Joel Matuzak and the Minnesota Brass percussion section, who captured their 2nd consecutive High Percussion award at the DCA championships - and to Scott Atkins and the Kingston Grenadiers for capturing the Class A Championship title and High Percussion award!

We'd also like to acknowledge the following finalists from this years DCA championships who chose Vic Firth as their stick and mallet of choice: Syracuse Brigadiers, Reading Buccaneers, Hawthorne Caballeros and the San Francisco Renegades. Join us soon on our website for our D.C.A. pictorial feature!

Video Interviews with Vic Firth Artists

KENNY ARONOFF

Kenny Aronoff is one of the most in-demand musicians for both live performance and recording session work with some of today's hottest stars. With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, Kenny has been named the #1 Pop/Rock Drummer for 5 consecutive years and the #1 Studio Drummer for 4 consecutive years by the readers of Modern Drummer Magazine. Click here to join us online for Kenny's hard hitting video interview!

TOM FLOAT

Recently inducted into the D.C.I. Hall of Fame, Tom Float is probably most remembered for his 1982-1990 drumlines at the Blue Devils, where he won 4 consecutive percussion titles (1983, 84, 85, & 86). In our video interview series, Tom reminisces on his playing and teaching experience, from marching in his first drum & baton corps to developing the 'grid' at the Blue Devils. A "must see" for anyone teaching marching percussion today. Click here to see Tom's feature!

 

 HOT PICKS

SHAZAM!
RowLoff Publications

A Collection of 16 Easy and Intermediate "Crime Fighting" Solos for Snare Drum, Timpani, Keyboard and Multi-Percussion

by Education Team Member John Pollard

Shazam! is a diverse set of solos intended to appeal to young percussionists. Instructors and students alike will find it convenient (and cost-effective) to have several pieces for snare, timpani, keyboards and multi-percussion all in one book.

Watch John Pollard's students perform pieces from SHAZAM in our video feature!

Sure, it's one thing for the author to tell us that his solos were meant for young students – but it's something else entirely to see his students performing the pieces! Check out our video feature with John's beginning 7th grade students playing selections from the book.

And, for those of you would would rather see "the professionals" at work, we've also included clips from RowLoff's upcoming Shazam DVD. While Ed Team Member David Steinquest's performance on City Streets is certainly on par with his usual high standards, Chris Crockarell playing The Backsticking Sailor in a pirate's costume is a MUST-SEE! And, in case you were wondering - those ARE DeLucia sta-pac® originals he's playing with. Aye-matey.

Click here to see the Shazam! feature
 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Tim Genis Signature Timpani Mallet Series

This versatile line of timpani mallets is tonal in character and designed to create different colors and qualities of articulation. Persimmon shafts provide a darker sound. The balance and weight of each model make articulation effortless.

In our product spotlight videos, you can watch and listen as Tim describes the each mallet and plays orchestral excerpts to highlight its unique character!
 WELCOME TO THE TEAM

Vic Firth and Texas
       - The Perfect Pair!

We would like to welcome two very special percussion educators to our team from the state of Texas - Dr. Michael Varner and J.J. Pipitone!

Michael Varner is the professor of percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington, a position he has held for 23 years. As coordinator of percussion activities, he is involved in every aspect of the percussion program, including percussion ensemble, marching percussion, marimba ensemble, and a full schedule of private students. Widely in demand as an educator and clinician, he has been invited to give presentations throughout the United States, Japan and Europe, focusing on developing precision technique and musical expression. Read Mike's complete bio here - http://www.uta.edu/mvarner/abiosketch.html

J.J. Pipitone is currently the Director of Percussion at Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas. Under his direction, the Lewisville High School drumline and percussion ensemble has achieved numerous awards and honors, including winning the 2003 PAS "call for tapes" percussion ensemble competition, followed by a performance at the PASIC convention in Louisville, Kentucky. J.J. has extensive drum corp experience, both as a performer and teacher, and was the 1989 DCI multi tenor champion and the 1990 PAS multi tenor champion. In 1995 and 1996, J.J. taught the World Champion Phantom Regiment percussion section, and was the caption head and percussion arranger in 1997. Currently, J.J. is a judge with Drum Corp International. Click here to read a recent SBO feature article on J.J.!

The Vic Firth Education Team Continues to Grow! 

The Vic Firth Education Team has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few months as more and more educators realize that Vic Firth offers the "perfect pair" – great products and a truly successful education program!

We've added over 100 other fine educators to our Education Team over the last few months as well. For a complete list, visit http://www.vicfirth.com/news/welcome9-10.html.

Welcome to the Team!