The Shepherd University Music Department will present a free Percussion and Drumming Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 12-3 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center on the Shepherd University campus. This promises to be an afternoon of educational and entertaining clinics and performances for drum and percussion students, teachers and enthusiasts sponsored by the Shepherd University Department of Music with the generous support of Yamaha and Vic Firth. The event is free and open to the public.

Big band drummer Marty Knepp will discuss his Musical Interactive Listening system, taking individuals beyond the technical aspects of drumming to explore the nuances of the musical conversation from the drummer’s perspective. Rebecca Kite will present a clinic, “Music in 3D”. Learn how to use phrasing, timbre and voicing to give your marimba performance interest and depth. Topics will include physical gestures, subtle crescendos and decrescendos, small timing changes, playing areas of the marimba bar and the angle of the mallet as it strikes the bar. The Shepherd University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Michelle Humphreys will present a performance featuring works by Kai Stensgaard, Steve Reich, Chris Hardy and Dave Mancini. All are welcome to stay after for an informal reception and chat session with the clinicians.

For more information about the Shepherd University Percussion and Drumming Festival contact Michelle Humphreys at 410-960-2771 or email michelle@percussionpro.com.