Percussion Clinics and Workshops for Students
(Watch excerpts from Stewart’s percussion workshops here.)
Stewart’s percussion clinics and workshops are designed to benefit students at all levels of experience. They address technical needs without neglecting the importance of playing and thinking musically.
Clinics/workshops are developed along with the band director to best address students’ needs, and can focus on technical concerns, specific instruments, or on the ensemble performance of scores being prepared for a concert.
Some of the popular topics addressed are:
- Approaching the Snare Drum: Holding the Sticks, Dropping (vs. Hammering), and the Relaxed Stroke
- The Rudiments: Lifts and Levels at the Snare Drum
- Rolls: Measuring the Buzzed and Double Stroked Roll
- Feeling Jazz: Swing, Fills, and Stage Band Drumming
- Jazz Independence
- Sight Reading on Xylophone and Bells
- Timpani Basics
- Playing Bass Drum, Cymbals and Auxiliary Percussion
- Ensemble Performance
Percussion Clinics and Workshops for Educators
Educators will gain valuable insights and confidence participating in these hands-on percussion clinics and workshops. Stewart discusses and demonstrates percussion techniques, then circulates and coaches participants as they try them out for themselves.
All topics listed under Percussion Clinics and Workshops for Students may be addressed in an Educators’ Workshop, redesigned with a focus on teaching the techniques in the classroom.
Further topics for Educators may include:
- Evaluating Percussion Performance
- Organizing Your Percussion Section
Larger groups may be more suited to a lecture-demonstration and discussion. In this format, Stewart discusses and demonstrates any or all of the topics listed above, as well as his own philosophy of teaching percussion in a junior high or high school setting.
The workshops wrap up with a question and answer session.
What Music Educators Are Saying About Stewart’s Percussion Clinics and Workshops
“. . . a superb presentation. Teachers need practical solutions to instructional problems and you have provided workable classroom activities to solve those problems. I now feel much more confident in teaching percussion and look forward to putting your ideas into practise.”
– Tom Taylor, Bayview Glen P.S. (York Region)
“I really enjoyed your workshop – tons of great, basic info that I can use, and fun to meet other music teachers and see them struggling away just like me.”
– Linda Ford, Lorne Park S.S. (Peel)
Thanks for that enlightening and helpful workshop. Love to do it again.”
– Linda Kreiner, Forest Hill C.I. (Toronto)
To tailor a clinic or workshop for your organization or school, contact Stewart Hoffman.