#96 Nick Angelis- Rudimental Snare Drum Champion, Blast! Faculty at the University of Cincinnati & More!
This week's featured guest is Nick Angelis. He is a rudimental snare drum champion as well as the associate director of bands at the University of Cincinnati.
Gig Alerts up first…..
Marcos will be playing with Obie Bermudez at the City Winery in Washington DC on Nov 6th as well as in Boston on Nov 8th, and Nov 13th at the Loft at City Winery in NYC.
Damon will be playing the Halloween Parade in NYC’s west village with the Brazilian group, Maracatu NY led by (friend of the show) Scott Kettner. Nov 4th at the City Winery, with Morgan James (evening show is sold out, afternoon still has tix available), then a European tour with Morgan James. As promised, here is the Black Messiah album by D’Angelo that Morgan covered……
There is still time to register for PAS (Percussive Arts Society) and attend PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Conference) this coming November 14-17th in Indianapolis, IN.
The Mac Miller Tribute concert is being Live Streamed. Here is all the FAQ you need to know regarding the concert and an additional article.
Hollywood Bowl Nightmare Before Christmas Concert with a live orchestra Oct 26-28
New Music to check out……
On Nov 2, you can listen to Jeremy Bosch’s new single “Autopsia”. You can also pre-order Sara Bareilles’ new album and get the first single “Armor” now, featuring drummer Jim Keltner.
This week’s Social Soundbyte…….
Is Louis Cole’s new live sesh video for the song “Thinking” with Louis on keys (instead of drums) and Nate Wood on drums.
The Product Review for this week is……
The Backpack XV Classic by G-Ro. They also make luggage as well. You should check them out!!!
The Iconic Recording this week is by Danny Elfman. The song is “This is Halloween” You can check out his full discography HERE. As promised, here is your halloween treat of the history of scary music soundtracks.
Music News this week……
YouTube releases a mini player so you can still get work done. Licensing experts are needed to enforce the new Music Modernization Act, so go get you a job! New features are being added to Facebook including music. Coachella faces a new legal suit with the hidden literature in its radius clause. A man sued a haunted house for being too scary!
Nick is currently the associate director of bands at the University of Cincinnati.
Nick got his start in Worcester, MA and was inspired by his mother and aunt who were involved with an all girl drum corps which became co-ed and called the Star Risers. That later became the Satellites.
After the Satellites, Nick made his way over to the Spartans Drum Corps.
Nick mentions his sister Julie is a member of the Pershing’s Own Army Band.
While at the Spartans, Nick learned from Larry Huff and then Chris Dufault.
Here is a comparison video of different snare drum heads, like the plastic vs. kevlar that was mentioned on the podcast. If you are thinking about exploring traditional grip instead of (or in addition to) matched grip, check out this one (of many) videos available.
If you’re interested in getting more of the history on rudimental drumming, check out the episode we did with Master Sargent Mark Reilly.
Nick went to the Boston Crusaders in 1990 with his sister and stayed there for two years.
If you would like more information on Al Murray, you can click HERE.
Here is a video lesson on how to play the Moeller technique that Nick refers to. The drumlines he brings up are the 1989 Cadets of Bergen County, As well as the 1990 and 1991 drumlines. He later mentions the 1988 Blue Devils and 1987 Santa Clara Vanguard (and 1988 Vanguard).
The different assortment of exercises that Nick references with the 1992 Santa Clara Vanguard drumline can be seen below…..
The Murray Damon was trying to think of is Murray Gusseck. He runs Tapspace with Jim Casella. Tapspace publishes percussion sheet music, educational resources, and sample library software to serve the needs of music educators who are passionate about creativity and like good music as much as they do.
The solos that Nick got inspiration for his solo were composed by Scott Johnson, Rob Carson, Robbie Robinson, & Steve Campell.
This is one of the Crossmen drumlines (1992) lead by Mark Thurston that Nick brings up.
In addition to Mark, Nick mentiones Tom Float, Ralph Hardimon, Mike Beck, Fred Sanford, Dennis Delucia, Bob Dubinski, Tom Aungst and Thom Hannum.
Two of the Drumlines that get the credit for being some of the best ever are the aformentioned 1987 Santa Clara Vanguard and the 1987 Garfield Cadets (who were the only drumline to receive a perfect score.
This is the textbook sometimes known as “the Grout” after one of the authors. It is used commonly as the text book for music history classes. The History of Western Music is the title.
Damon and Nick were fortunate enough to have been in the Umass Marching Band while George Parks was the director of it.
The drum judge tape for the Star of Indiana drumline Nick brings up can be heard HERE.
Star of Indiana left Drum Corps International to pursue a new endeavor called Brass Theater.
Nick decided to return to Drum Corps on his final year of eligibility, to march under the great Ralph Hardimon along side his friend Jeff Queen at the Blue Knights.
Nick uses Pearl Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, & Evans Drumheads
You can follow Nick on Facebook, or reach out to him at the University of Cincinnati.
Here’s a little video of Nick teaching and also demonstrating some paradiddles.
Nick and Damon in London at their Flat.
