Awareness of the Autism Spectrum

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April is National Autism Awareness Month and April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. I am very proud of the initiative that we took a year ago in developing the Woodstock Chimes for Autism, which was inspired by 8-year-old Tyler Doi, who has high-functioning autism and an extraordinary musical acuity that enables him to identify… Read more »

NEXUS and Sepideh Raissadat on Voice of America Persia, today

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Happy Nowruz! Today is the Persian New Year and at 3:30-4:30 pm (GMT) Sepideh Raissadat’s performance with Nexus and Sarv Ensemble will be broadcast at Voice Of America as a Nowruz celebration. (11:30 a.m. local Toronto time.) We can listen via computer link at http://ir.voanews.com/?mobile=no

So many exciting Spring projects!

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We have set the clocks ahead, so it is officially Spring, and NEXUS has a busy season ahead with a number of exciting projects. This month began with a recording session with Sepideh Raissadat for VOA Persia. The video program is to be broadcast over Voice of America throughout Iran. Follow us on Facebook for… Read more »

Woodstock Chimes: Drumming to a Different Beat

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Drum circles in the broadest sense have been around since the first caveman started beating on a log. There is something about drumming that is both primal and cathartic. Unlike most other instruments, it is possible for anyone – including non-musicians – to play rhythms on a drum (or any percussion instrument) immediately and join… Read more »

Colin Currie at Eastman – January 14, 2015

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Among the many wonderful benefits of being associated with the Eastman School of Music on a regular basis are the periodic visits of guest musicians, especially in the percussion department. In the 2014/15 season alone there have been visits by Leigh Howard Stevens, Lee Vinson, Jake Nisly, Stanley Leonard, and Amadinda. On Jan. 14, Colin… Read more »

Freedom or Restriction?

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When I was growing up everything was pretty black and white. You drove a Ford or a Chevy. You drank a Coke or a Pepsi. You had a choice of NBC, CBS, ABC and (eventually) PBS on TV. We now live in an interesting time where you have a zillion choices. We are offered dozens… Read more »

Bells, History, Phillies, Cheese and Drumming

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  I have an affinity with Philadelphia. It’s not because I make bells and they have a cracked bell. It’s not because I am a historian, which I am not. Nor am I a Philadelphia sports fan. I like cream cheese, but it’s not that either. I was reminded that my connection to Philadelphia is… Read more »

Becker’s Best now available

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Xylomusic has recently published Becker’s Best, a collection of Bob’s most effective technique exercises for the xylophone and marimba. All of the studies in the book can be practiced to build speed and accuracy, and after they are learned at tempo they make a great daily warm-up routine. The book is available through Steve Weiss… Read more »

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