The Juilliard Summer Percussion Seminar, an intensive session for intermediate and advanced high-school percussionists, was started in 1998 by Juilliard alumna Janis Potter. This year's seminar—a week packed with master classes, clinics, performances, lectures, rehearsals, and lessons—took place from July 21-28 and featured Juilliard faculty members Daniel Druckman, Gregory Zuber, and Gordon Gottlieb, as well as a number of guest artists.

Daniel Druckman with students in an orchestral percussion performance class. Left to right: J. Scott Mitchell (PA), David Guryn (NY), Druckman, Zach Redler (FL), and Evan Taylor (NJ). Photo by Nan Melville

Frame drum superstar Glen Velez, acclaimed marimba soloist Nancy Zeltsman, and Juilliard alum and New York Philharmonic assistant principal timpanist Joseph Pereira were among those who shared their expertise with the students, along with guest lecturer Erik Charlston and guest adjudicators Maya Gunji and Pablo Rieppi.

Two guest ensembles were featured in exceptional evening performances. TimeTable, a percussion trio made up of Matthew Gold, Joseph Tompkins, and Matthew Ward, performed works of Andriessen, Rihm, Aperghis, Vivier, and Miura. Additionally, Hammer/Klavier, a newly-formed quartet of two pianists and two percussionists, performed works of Bartók, Reich, Crumb, Viñao, and Andersson. In addition to percussionist Eduardo Leandro, Hammer/Klavier features three Juilliard alums on its roster: percussionist Matthew Strauss and pianists Diane Walsh and Simone Dinnerstein.

The 14 students in attendance came from places as close as Long Island and as far away as Oregon and Australia. There was, however, a consistency of quality and commitment among the young musicians—demonstrated throughout the seminar in the exceptionally high level of their musicianship, preparation, interest, and performance.

Designed for the all-around percussionist, the seminar is truly a hands-on experience and stresses the importance of versatility and breadth. The percussion areas of world, ethnic, orchestral, contemporary, marimba, timpani, composition, and chamber music were all highlighted. All the students performed in master class and clinic settings for the guest artists and faculty. Gordon Gottlieb's high-powered session on tambourine and pandeiro opened new and exciting vistas to the students on these versatile and popular instruments. This was also true of Glen Velez's clinic on the frame drums of the world. Even though many students were not familiar with the tar and riqq, by the end of Glen's session they were performing rhythmic cycles on the drums, speaking South Indian rhythmic syllables, and singing with overtones.

Daniel Druckman led an essential class on orchestral-section percussion playing, and offered the students very useful information in his class titled "How to Prepare for College Auditions." Metropolitan Opera principal and Juilliard faculty member Gregory Zuber's excellent class focused on snare drum, and bass drum/cymbals in orchestral and operatic settings. Thanks to Druckman, the students were treated to V.I.P. seating for an outdoor performance of the New York Philharmonic at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, featuring great percussion repertoire and three of the seminar's faculty members. Percussion ensemble rehearsals were held in the evenings, as students prepared for performances of works by Nigel Westlake, Steve Reich, and John Alfieri.

"I especially like how it wasn't just one professor, but at least 10 guests that did the classes. This camp will really pay off," said Eric Roberts, a high school senior from Burke, Va. "I know what to expect from college auditions now." The seminar was described as "one of the best weeks of my life" by many of the participants filling out their feedback sheets.

The program's success was due in large part to the wonderful assistance of Mary Gray and Karen Porter (director and associate director of admissions, respectively), Janet Kessin (director of communications), Dan Druckman, and the Residence Life and Building Management Offices. A special thanks goes out to seminar assistant Wilson Torres (Juilliard Pre-College, 1990). The seminar was also made possible by the generous donations of the following corporate sponsors: Adams Marimbas, Mike Balter Mallets, Gibraltar Hardware, Gretsch Drums, Innovative Percussion, Pearl Drums, A. Putnam Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, and Toca Percussion.