Reviewing the Year, and what's to come - Sewanee, Music for All, Mason Percussion Camp

I'm about to depart for my 5th summer in residence at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.  Sewanee is a special place - kind of hard to describe.  Yes, it is a music festival. A wonderful chamber music and orchestral training academy for very advanced HS and college students.  Wonderful faculty, great conductors and an enormous amount of playing in a VERY short time ( 4 weeks) 

 But the totality of the experience is far more than just playing music. I don't know if it is the mountains, the pace of life,  the community, or the people, but something just makes Sewanee a unique place to spend time.  I look forward to re-charging my musical batteries there each summer.  This year, I'll be performing on three different faculty chamber music concerts, teaching 11 private lessons and coaching percussion chamber music.  And riding my bike.  And hopefully spending some real quality time by the pool with some great friends and wonderful students.  Each time I hit the exit for the University of the south, and cross the boundary for the domain if the University of the South, I slow down, smile and say quietly out loud - "ahhh - Sewanee"  
http://sewaneemusicfestival.org/

In addition to my time at SSMF - I am on the faculty for the Music for All Summer Symposium.  the MFA symposium is a wonderful educational experience for band directors, future teachers and talented high school student.  Hosted at Ball State University, I look forward to connecting and reconnecting with wonderful colleagues and sharing what I know with the teachers and students attending the symposium.  A great week, with great people.  http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/summer-camp

Finally - I return to Northern Virginia and promptly jump into our own summer percussion camp at George Mason University.  Each summer, our faculty, alumni, guest artists and most experienced graduate students work with NOVA area middle and high school percussionists.  In one week, we cover marching percussion, concert percussion, jazz, afro cuban, steel pan and chamber music.  In addition, there will be daily special performances and a "grand finale" concert showcasing all of the students in performance.  

This has been the pattern for the last few summers - busy and rewarding.  A great combination of teaching, performing and travel.  Can't wait to get started!