Meanwhile in the percussion section…..Mold your percussion students into a program with strong fundamental values and a culture for growth.

Adam D. HillAdam D. Hill is a music educator and percussionist in the Chicagoland area. He received a B.A. in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music with an emphasis in percussion under the instruction of Kevin Lepper and Dr. Charlie Menghini. At Romeoville High School in Romeoville, Illinois, Hill is the director of percussion, assistant marching band director, and teaches jazz band, music technology, music theory, and guitar. Adam also is a member of the music faculty at University of St. Francis in the Music Technology program. He founded Pioneer Indoor, an independent marching percussion ensemble and has lead the ensemble to multiple WGI medals as their Executive Director. Hill spent ten seasons as a member of the Chicago Bears drumline and is currently the director of the Chicago Bulls “Stampede“ Drumline. He was a member of Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps and spent several seasons as their percussion coordinator, caption head, and arranger. Hill placed within the top ten for snare drum solo contest in Drum Corp International, Drum Corps Midwest, and PASIC. In 2002, he placed second in the DCI snare drum solo competition. Hill received the “Dr. Rosanne Rosenthal Excellence in Teaching Award” from Vandercook College of Music, the “Natalie Stukas Hearing Conservation Award”, and named a Pillar of the Community in Valley View School District. He has also performed at large music festivals such as Lollapalooza and North Coast Music Festival. Adam Hill is an active music arranger, judge, clinician and performer. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Evans, Dynasty, Sabian cymbals, and Etymotic ear protection.

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Personal Program review

1st - Where is my percussion program? (A) Surviving? (B) Ready for the next level or restructure? (C) HELP ME!!

2nd - Are they the “oh yeah” in the band?

3rd - What is my 5 year plan? Pertaining to equipment, studies, and enrollment.

Use the outcomes of these questions to help guide your choices of growing your percussion program as we continue through the session.

Building Blocks

Fundamental based approach: • General Technique - match grip vs. traditional grip (points of interest) 2 mallet & 4 mallet, Posture. • Rhythm- Consistent study of rhythmic variations and timing.• Gateway Rudiments - Flams, Flam Taps, Paradiddles, Rolls (single&double).• Scales - Major/ Minor and rudimental theory.

Planning the key studies: • Snare, Marimba, Timpani, Drum set• Plan Time frames of each study and when they should begin these studies.

Practice Facilities and Implementation: What space do you have? Using practice pads, Practice Marimbas, phones, simple use of chrome books and iPads for time sources and or study layouts.

Percussion ensemble: It is important to give percussionists a moment to shine. How to do it inexpensively and as a way to recruit.

Relatable information for winds and percussion: Verbiage and Expectations.

Percussion only time: What is a realistic time option during the school day/week? Make it a priority.

Exposure to other percussion activities: DCI, WGI, PAS, College ensembles, World Percussion etc….Expose musicians to the upper level ensembles to provide motivation and goal setting.

EASY usable Literature and web resources:1. The Packet - Frank Chapple Curriculum resource2. www.tapspace.com - percussion ensembles, and technique books.3. Youtube- Vic Firth Rudiment lessons, Percussion ensembles. See QR code for more

detailed lists. 4. PAS.org resources for students and teachers.