Saturday, September 27, 2008

Memphis Symphony Orchestra Percussionist Visits RMS Music Department

Memphis Symphony Orchestra principal timpanist and percussionist Frank Shaffer visited RMS music students on Wednesday, September 23rd, for two 45-minute presentations. Mr. Shaffer introduced and demonstrated different percussion instruments such as the snare drum, timpani, cymbals, and xylophones. He also discussed the many musical decisions he and other percussionists make during performances. RMS band, orchestra, and general music students participated in a percussion ensemble jam on a Latin samba groove. General music students are currently studying syncopated rhythms in reggae (Bob Marley) and jazz (Miles Davis and Billie Holiday), and will be introduced to Brazilian Jazz next week (Bossa Nova music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrud Giberto).

Mr. Shaffer demonstrated the connection between music and physics, explaining how friction is used to create a thumb roll on a tambourine. Vibration was also discussed in terms of sound production and sustain.

Frank Shaffer also discussed and performed percussion excerpts from the upcoming MSO Young People's Concert at the Cannon Center. Several RMS students will be attending the concert on October 14th and studying the selections they hear thanks to the partnership between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis City School. Watch the video clip below of Frank Shaffer's September 23rd visit.



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