Pearl Drums - Concert News

1/27/2012MP Duo in residence at Duke University and the University of Houston in January 2012.The Meehan Perkins Duo was in residency at Duke University and the Moores School of Music at University of Houston in January. Each residency was packed with events that highlight all of MP Duo’s interests—teaching, working with composers, and performing new music. While both residencies had the standard percussion studio master classes and evening performances, their hosts at both schools, John Supko at Duke and Rob Smith at Moores, also scheduled composer workshops where the MP Duo could work directly with composition students. Todd Meehan and Doug Perkins were able to give readings of pieces as well as addressing issues related to writing for percussion. Having this breadth to their residencies is unique and beneficial to everyone involved—percussion students worked on established repertoire like Lang’s “So Called Laws of Nature” and Miyoshi’s “Torse III” in a master class, and then also saw the interaction with tomorrow’s composers of how new pieces are added to the repertoire.

MP Duo commissioned a piece from Supko entitled “Straits” in 2009. Following the residency, Supko expanded on the importance of a MP’s interactions with him as well as student composers:

“I have been working with Todd Meehan and Doug Perkins in various contexts for about seven years. I was thrilled when they approached me in 2009 to write a piece for their duo. The result of this project was Straits, which they commissioned under the auspices of Meet The Composer's Commissioning Music/USA Grant program. Straits was premiered in its first incarnation as an electro-acoustic work in 2010 at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC and again in its current acoustic form in 2010 at the Round Top Festival in Round Top, Texas. For a composer like myself, who has no percussion performance training, working with resourceful, virtuosic players like Doug and Todd is not only a thrill, it's also indispensable to the process. I can say without question that they improved my piece immeasurably. Their advice and suggested revisions rendered the music more idiomatic and more portable; these are attributes crucial to any percussion work's success. The master class they gave at Duke University made some of this process available to both student percussionists and composers. They discussed the inherently collaborative nature of commissioning, rehearsing and finally bringing a new work to the concert hall. It was an enlightening lecture/demonstration, and many attendees commented on the useful information they acquired. For myself, I continue to learn about percussion writing from Todd and Doug, and my admiration for their integrity and musicianship only increases each time I have the chance to work with them.”

Congrats to everyone involved—MP Duo, John Supko, Rob Smith, and the student percussionists and composers at Duke and Moores.

Jim Babor Clinic Tour

12/6/2011On sabbatical from the LA Philharmonic, Jim Babor takes time to stop at KU, UMKC, and CMU.

Pearl’s D-3000TC Timpani Throne is just what timpanists have been looking for in a professional grade stool.

Engineered to provide ultimate stability and adjustability, the D-3000TC features a heavy duty hydraulic-lift cylinder to provide a height adjustment range of 23” to 33” tall. The throne is also outfitted with a Solid Cast 5-leg base with an adjustable foot for uneven surfaces.

The 17.75” wide padded seat includes a full sized adjustable back rest, providing maximum comfort for long-term playing. Coupled with a tool-free height adjustable foot ring, the D-3000TC offers a multitude of configurations to fit every player’s specific needs.

This throne goes beyond the percussion section, functioning as a great upright double bass chair, synthesizer seat, or Conductor's stool.

Click HERE for more information about the D-3000TC.

eighth blackbird's "Lonely Motel" Receives Grammy Nominations

12/5/2011Pearl/Adams artist Matthew Duvall and eighth blackbird are nominated for 4 classical Grammys.

Tim Genis Joins Pearl/Adams

11/8/2011Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Insruments are proud to welcome Timothy Genis to the artist roster.

Due East Releases "drawn only once"

10/31/2011Percussion/Flute duo Due East releases their new CD, "drawn only once" on New Amsterdam Records