Tomorrow’s the day! We hope you can join us for the Pima Percussion Ensemble’s Spring Concert. This has been an absolutely massive project, but the students rose to the occasion this semester and I couldn’t be more proud of their hard work!
The program will include the world premiere of my new composition “Printer Jam” for nineteen 3D-printed drums and electronic accompaniment. We’re also playing Rick Dior’s “Science Fiction” that features the theremin along with drum machines, synthesizers, and video clips from retro SciFi films. I’ll also be performing a piece for MalletSTATION and percussion quartet.
This is our most ambitious concert to date, and we hope to see you there!
🎶✨ Big ideas, bold sounds, and a whole lot of creativity!
The Tucson Symphony Young Composers Project students are hard at work putting the final touches on their original pieces—and trust us, you’re going to want to hear these!
From first notes to full compositions, these talented students have brought their musical visions to life with a little help from TSO musicians along the way 🎹 🎺
Mark your calendars for May 2 & 9 and come cheer them on as the TSO brings their music to the stage for the very first time! 🎉
#TucsonSymphony #YoungComposersProject #Tucson #musiceducationmatters
Making music, making smiles, and making a little noise 🥁✨
We love sharing the joy of our percussion ensemble with children in our community! Thank you, Valencia Library, for having us—let’s keep the rhythm going! 🎶💛
#tucsonsymphony #tucsonaz🌵 #musiceducationforkids
🎶 Music in the Schools! 🎶
What a fun morning! TSO presented a brass and percussion ensemble at Collier Elementary for an engaging performance filled with energy and great music.🎵
We love sharing the excitement of live music with students and inspiring the next generation of musicians!
Thank you to Collier Elementary for welcoming us—we’re always happy to bring music into our schools! 🎺🥁✨
#TucsonSymphony #musiceducation #tucsonlocal
Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 includes something you don’t see every day in an orchestra…a hammer. 🔨
These “hammer blows” are meant to represent fate itself, and they’re as powerful as they sound.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look before this weekend’s performances with Principal Percussionist Trevor Barroero!
I’d argue that Whitney Houston would’ve definitely included the Mahler Hammer in her tune “I Will Always Love You” if she had done an orchestral arrangement of it 😂
——
I’ve quickly learned these past two days that the Mahler Hammer is trickier than it looks. Unwieldy. Two shots. No do-overs. So…what better way to practice the timing than with the iconic #whitneyhoustonchallenge ? 🔨
Catch the real deal this weekend! Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 on February 20 and 22 with the @tucsonsymphony .
Free Forever 🖐️
Percussion 101 is our permanent, open-access library for every concert percussionist. Whether you’re polishing an excerpt or teaching a section from scratch, these lessons are here whenever you need them. Bookmark the series and play with a professional edge every time you step on stage.
#blackswamppercussion #percussion #percussionist #musiceducation
🔺Triangle🔻101🔺
Triangle 101 is the last video in our 5-week Percussion 101 series. Get expert instruction from Black Swamp Artist and Principal Percussionist, Trevor Barroero. In this lesson Trevor not only covers performance essentials, but also the tools necessary to make your performance truly shine.
Watch and read the full lesson at the link in bio! 🔗
#blackswamppercussion #percussion #triangle #musiclesson
Can you count on your castanets to sound consistent? 🤔
Castanet 101 is here!
Principal Percussionist Trevor Barroero is here to show you how to get an authentic orchestral sound using the Black Swamp Overture Castanet Machine. We’re breaking down the techniques that actually matter.
In this lesson:
- The Attack: Using wrist-driven technique for maximum clarity.
- The Sound: How to use flams and double stops for a richer tone.
- The Setup: Why tension and height change everything.
- And more!
📺 Watch the video and read the full lesson at the link in our bio! 🔗
#percussion #musiceducation #percussionist #blackswamppercussion #castanets
Woodblock 101: Available Now!
Percussion 101, presented by Trevor Barroero, is a 5-week Percussion Series demonstrating the essentials of percussion performance. This is a great resource for band directors, young percussionists, and educators. Watch the video on YouTube and read the written lesson on the Percussion Education Hub.
Lesson 3 is all about woodblocks 🪵
The full video and written lesson are available at the link in bio.
#blackswamppercussion #percussion #percussionist #musiclesson
Slapstick 101: Available Now!
Lesson 2 in our 5-week Percussion 101 series is all about slapstick! 👏
Trevor Barroero, guides you through the nuances of the slapstick (sometimes called the whip) and everything you need to know about playing this cool sound effect, instrument.
The full video and written lesson are available at the link in bio.
#blackswamppercussion #percussion #percussionist #musiclesson
Have a listen to opening theme from “A Murder Between Friends” available now in North America on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and anywhere you can watch movies online. I composed the score with the wonderful @marimbarr .
Written and executive produced by @mark_rozzano . Directed by @jacob_w_young and trentkgarrett. Starring the legend @joancollinsdbe and a fun cast of serial TV star talent.
It feels absolutely surreal to type this but it’s officially out and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it!
#filmscore #richmondva #rva #murdermystery #joancollins
