Posts By: Bill Cahn

Except for the timpani part in “White Night” by Toshi Ichiyanagi, which  I played with NEXUS in one concert in Toronto a few years ago, and my own “Night Ride”, which was in the NEXUS repertoire for a few concerts in 2006/2007, I had not really spent much time ‘timpanizing’ since I left the Rochester… Read more »

Dan Hinger and Bill Cahn  (1981)   I first met Mr. Hinger at a rehearsal of the Philadelphia All-City Junior High Band in 1960.  His son, Bill Hinger and I were budding 8th-grade percussionists in the Band, and Dan was there at one of our Saturday morning rehearsals at Girls High School on North Broad… Read more »

The following poem is dedicated to Warren Benson. It was composed after hearing a performance of Warren’s “Danzon” for wind ensemble.     Another Story for Virgins (Warren’s DANZON)   marimba [?] . . . blossoms into . . . ubiquitous NOW awash in a swirl of amorphous sound virgin ears spread to beckon a penetration… Read more »

It has been said that professional careers consist of three distinct phases: 1) the acquisition of skills from the preceding generation; 2) the application of the acquired skills in the chosen profession, and; 3) the passing along of those skills to the next generation.  Each phase has its rewards, and one of the most satisfying… Read more »

Our friend, the distinguished American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, is  celebrating her 70th birthday in April and we wish her the happiest of  birthdays.

  Last night – April 4, 2009 – was the time for us to celebrate Ray Dillard’s birthday at “The Host”, a Toronto Indian restaurant that has been a favourite of NEXUS for years.  It was quite a gathering of about 25 of Ray’s and Lorrie’s friends and family.  Joining the party all the way… Read more »

I admit it . . . I’m a bass drum.  I am a concert bass drum and I have a problem; I get no respect.  Everyone uses me . . . but that’s not the problem.  The problem is that I am sooo carelessly used.  I am used – without thought about how beautifully I… Read more »

“Raga No. 1” for solo timpani was first published in 1978 by Wimbledon Music, and since then it has been performed by timpanists and percussionists all over the world.  It continues to be among the most selected of works in the repertoire for percussion recitals, juries, and competitions.  I have occasionally received inquiries about various… Read more »

  One of the wonders of the new digital age is the ability to have live interactive events that are shared by individuals and organizations scattered throughout the world.  I first experienced ‘Internet-2‘ two years ago during the Steve Reich 70th birthday year in which I actually had a brief long-distance conversation with Steve – I… Read more »

The following questions were emailed to me by Jim Clanton, who teaches percussion at Pittsburg State University in Kansas, and is finishing his DMA from the UMKC Conservatory.   Q.  Blades mentions in PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR HISTORY that the marimbaphone was used as a solo instrument by stage artists.  Are there any recordings that… Read more »

The following interview took place at John Wyre’s home in Norland, Ontario on August 2, 1996. This is the first time it has ever been published. Bill: What do you see as the current musical environment? What kinds of things are going on that are likely to influence the course of music? John: In my… Read more »

  From time to time I have received requests from percussionists asking for information about George Hamilton Green and Joseph Green.  (I know that Bob Becker has also received many such requests – see his blog.)   Here is a sample.   Question: I am very interested in your personal role in bringing the Green… Read more »

Questions from a student: I am curious about your interpretation regarding the following figures: A. B.   1. What terminology do you use to identify figure A? Cahn: drag; ruff; 3-stroke-drag; 3-stroke ruff; appoggiatura 2. What terminology do you use to identify figure B? Cahn: 4-stroke ruff, (4-stroke drag), ruff, appoggiatura 3. How do you… Read more »

    In December 2008, at the end of the fall semester, my first semester at the Eastman School of Music as a part time Associate Professor, I held a mock orchestra audition for the four graduate students with whom I had been working.   They had all expressed an interest in taking orchestra auditions. … Read more »

  I recently received an email from a student at Florida Gulf Coast University asking, 1) What marimba music should be in every musician’s library? and 2) What do you consider to be a work that has helped the Marimba become more accepted in the music community and why?   Here is my reply.  … Read more »