This week’s guest is Kyle Acuncius. Kyle is currently Acting Principal Timpanist with the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi, Vietnam. Prior to his appointment in Vietnam, he held positions as Principal Timpanist of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Percussionist of the Terre Haute Symphony and Section Percussionist of the Ann Arbor Symphony. Kyle also previously served as Artist/Instructor and coordinator of the percussion program at Mahidol University’s College of Music in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kyle performs extensively throughout America, Europe and Asia as a soloist educator and chamber musician and has performed regularly as a member of a diverse spectrum of professional ensembles including the Malaysian Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and Rome Festival Orchestra.

Kyle holds degrees from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Eastman School of Music (B.M.), Indiana University (M.M.), and the University of Michigan (M.M. – Chamber Music and Specialist Degree).

Mr. Acuncius is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and serves as a member of their International Committee.

Shout-out to everyone involved in this summer’s drum corps season and competitions. The Finals were held in Indianapolis, IN this past Saturday August the 12th. For the final scores and recap, CLICK HERE.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Dave Fox! Dave is an accomplished, versatile drummer who has performed and recorded with a wide variety of acts in a number of genres all over New England, nationally and abroad. He is currently a full-time member of The Gravel Project, Andrew Stern’s “AS3” and legendary Boston Rock act The Stompers.

As a sideman for over two decades, he has performed with a diverse group of artists including Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes, Jerry Bergonzi, Josh Smith, David Tronzo, David Amram, Charles Neville, Stan Strickland, Phil Grenadier and Bruno Råberg.

Dave is, as ever, committed to moving ahead with his craft, sound and teaching practice while continuing to enjoy working with his students and ensembles at Indian Hill Music Center (Littleton, MA) and MJ’s Music School (Waltham, MA).

Happy Birthday to Brian Kilgore! In Brian Kilgore's diverse studio career he has played on over 500 albums, including Rock and Roll with Daft Punk, Cold Play, Live, Sheryl Crow, Shelby Lynne, Whitney Houston, Starship, Linda Rondstadt, Ricky Martin, Jody Watley, Robbie Nevil, the Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith, and Concrete Blonde, Afro-Cuban salsa with Clare Fischer and Francisco Aguabella, straight ahead jazz with Terry Trotter, Bill Watrous, Bill Cunliffe, and Bob Florence, jazz fusion with Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Dave Koz, Grant Geissman, and Warren Hill, and rap with NWA, P Diddy, and Dr. Dre. His numerous TV/film credits include Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, King Kong, Narnia, Beowulf, Wall-E, Hairspray, Semi-Pro, Pollock, A Bug's Life, Mighty Joe Young, A Perfect Storm, Spiderman II, The Bourne Supremacy, Troy, Van Helsing, I Robot, The Polar Express, Team America, Robots, The Legend of Zorro, Cars, The Longest Yard, and over one hundred more.

He has also performed live with Barbra Streisand, Teena Marie, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and many more.

Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University, Northridge, where he subsequently served on the faculty from 1992-1998. His ability to cover all aspects of percussion, from Afro-Cuban rhythms to orchestral percussion, to the extensive use of electronics and exotic sound effects, has made him a first-call player on the Los Angeles recording scene.

Happy Birthday to Michito Sanchez! Michito is one of Los Angeles’ top studio and live percussionists, has a unique ability to create an atmosphere from the Amazon or just groove on a Shaker or Cowbell. Michito also applies his knowledge of Conga drum techniques to other world percussion instruments, simplifying or intensifying intricate world beat rhythms to fit in today’s sound of Pop, Rock, R & B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, etc. situations. Aside from the standard, Michito has gathered hundreds of Percussion Instruments from around the globe, which he utilizes with a virtuosity that enhances any musical situation making it a true experience. Michito envelopes his performance with a great attitude and creative energy.

Happy Birthday to Jeff Queen! Jeff has been involved with percussion since the age of 10. At the age of 15, Jeff began his drum corps career with the Canton Bluecoats and continued on to march with the Velvet Knights, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights and the University of North Texas. Jeff was the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995 as well as the Percussive Arts Society Individual Snare Drum Champion in 1994 and 1995. Jeff has taught in the drum corps activity for over 15 years, including being the caption head for the Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps from 2003-04, percussion arranger for the Colts Drum and Bugle corps for 2007-08.

Jeff is an original cast member of the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway Show "BLAST" where he was a solo performer and battery instructor from 1999–2003. Jeff has performed across the US, Europe and Asia. In addition Jeff has appeared on numerous Television shows including: The Late Show with David Letterman, The Kennedy Center Honors 2000, NBA All-Star Game 2001, Grey Cup 2007, “BLAST”, and “The Making of Blast” on PBS DVD and Video.

Queen is the author of The Next Level: Rudimental Drumming Techniques available through Jeff Queen Productions and Playing With Sticks, a more than 3-hour instructional DVD through Hudson Music. More of Jeff’s compositions are available through Drop6 Media, Tapspace Publications, and jeffqueen.com. Jeff is a signature artist for Vic Firth Drumsticks and proudly endorses Pearl Drums, Evans Drumheads and Zildjian cymbals.

Jeff holds his BM in Music Theory and Composition and MM in Percussion Performance from Butler University. Currently, Jeff is the Percussion Coordinator for Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana and is on the percussion faculty at Butler University. When not teaching at home, Jeff travels the world as an active composer, arranger, judge, clinician, and performer.

Gig Alerts

The Beach Road Weekend Festival is happening from August 25th-27th on Martha’s Vineyard. There are still tickets available. Friend of the show, J.J. Johnson will be playing with Gary Clark Jr.

The Hoxeyville Festival is happening August 18th-20th in Wellston, MI. Friend of the show, Scott Pellegrom and his trio will be performing.

Nexus is performing their final three concerts as an ensemble before retiring (as the group). You can catch them September 18th, 20th, or 23rd in Canada and the USA.

Educational Spotlight

The Percussive Arts Society has announced the first round of artists who will be performing or presenting at this year’s PASIC.

Iconic Recording

This week’s iconic recording was chosen by Kyle. It is “When The Water Breaks” by Liquid Tension Experiment from their album ‘Liquid Tension Experiment 2’ featuring Mike Portnoy on drums.

Music News

A new report has uncovered how some of the biggest names in music applied for funding intended for small venues during the COVID pandemic. Here’s the latest.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) was a grant intended to keep independent venues afloat during one of the worst downturns in recent history. It was administered by the Small Business Administration, which handed out $14.5 billion to venues, including theaters, museums, performing arts centers, talent agencies, ballets, operas, and many smaller live performance venues. Because the SVOG is a grant, qualified applicants could receive up to $10 million with no obligation to repay it. -Article

The Chainsmokers are co-sponsoring an artist-in-residence program in New York City to help an emerging artist focus on music without the worries and stress of paying rent.

The Chainsmokers, duo Alex Pall and Drew Taggart are launching an effort in collaboration with The Blumenfeld Development Group, The Chainsmokers’ JAJA Tequila, and creative agency NOISE to provide an artist-in-residence with a free apartment in New York City equipped with a music studio at the apartment building The Smile. -Article

While artists signed with major labels seem to have access to inexhaustible resources for distribution, promotion, and marketing, the opportunities available to indie artists aren’t as robust. Viberate is attempting to bridge this gap by bundling data analytics, artist websites, playlist pitching, booking pages, unlimited distribution, and more — all in one consolidated plan.

Viberate is now expanding their focus on analytics to include broader services designed to uplift musicians. The company’s just-launched ‘Viberate for Artists’ includes unlimited distribution alongside playlist pitching, festival pitching, artist websites, and an entire booking page for a single annual payment of $39. -Article

Friend of the show, Scott Kettner and his band Nation Beat are recording a new album. You can help the cause by donating to their Indiegogo page.

Friend of the show, Clifford Koufman is making a documentary about his mentor Ra Kalam Bob Moses, and you can help his efforts by donating to his Indiegogo page.

Kyle Acuncius Interview

The song leading into the interview is “Dwitunggal II” by Septian Dwi Cahyo. This is performed by: Kyle Acuncius (USA/Vietnam), Marimba; Max Riefer (Germany/Malaysia), Vibraphone.

Kyle grew up in the St. Louis area to musician parents.

Kyle attended Interlochen for part of high school.

Kyle talks about the pros/cons of going to public school vs. a performing arts school.

Kyle attended Eastman School of Music (B.M.)

Indiana University (M.M.)

and the University of Michigan (M.M. – Chamber Music and Specialist Degree).

Damon and Kyle talk about the importance of doing a student exchange program, domestically or abroad.

Kyle studied with John Alfieri and then friend of the show Keith Aleo took over at Interlochen.

Kyle talks about his approach for applying to schools.

Kyle brings up friend of the show, John Beck and his audition with him.

Seeing Kevin Bobo’s performance at PASIC inspired Kyle to apply to IU.

While at IU, Kyle studied with and played in ensembles led by friend of the show, Michael Spiro.

Kyle talks about his experience with world music vs. excerpts for classical and contemporary music.

Shout-out to Steve Houghton, Michael Udow and Joe Gramley.

Kyle talks about his transition to South East Asia within 1-2 months. He found listings on the website: Musical Chairs (dot info).

Shout-out to Megan Arns.

Shout-out to friends of the show, Jon Fox and Ed Choi.
Kyle talks about some of the differences about teaching in Asia and timelines of the school year.

Kyle taught at Mahidol University’s College of Music in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kyle talks about having to know the culture of the area you’re teaching in so you can prepare your students effectively, with knowing what they would need to be successful.

Kyle is the Principal Timpanist with the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Kyle talks about some of the inner workings of the orchestra he is a part of, which is owned by the Sun Group.

Kyle is a member of PAS, and used to be on the international committee. Damon and Kyle talk about expanding chapters around the world.

Kyle has checked out folkloric Vietnamese music. He mentions a good entry point is the group Suc Song Moi which is a Bamboo Ensemble.

Kyle chooses the iconic recording. Honorable mention goes to the Leigh Howard Stevens performances of Bach on Marimba. You can own a physical copy of the sheet music if you wish. Kyle mentions his favorite is the first track, “Prelude and Fugue, No. 21 in B flat Major”.

Kyle uses JG Percussion mallets.

Shout-out to John Beck, John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Michael Spiro, Joe Gramley, and Johnathan Ovalle.

Kyle doesn’t have social media. You can check out the Sun Symphony Orchestra.

Damon and Kyle talk wedding anniversary gifts.

Damon mentions friend of the show Erin Elstner.

Kyle talks about American ex-pat percussionists.