Clinician Name: Michael Varner E-mail Address: mvarner@uta.edu
Clinic Title: Excellence in Cymbal Sounds: A Conductor’s “Crash Course”
Clinic Synopsis: Cymbals appear in every genre from marches to Opera yet are often ignored or misunderstood. This clinic examines effective strategies from the podium to "fine tune" sound quality and musicality. More than playing technique, it explores selecting cymbals for the “right” sound, how conductor’s gestures or terminology can “communicate,” placement and balance in the ensemble, sound projection, effects/colors/sounds, effective suspended cymbal possibilities and understanding notation in the score.
What is the target audience for this clinic? Conductors, Band, Orchestra, Percussion specialists
What will the audience take away from this clinic? Handouts, and powerpoint examples from the literature. A question period focusing on concerns from the audience and live demonstrations will give the conductor a resource of information to successfully achieve every desired sound.
What is included in the handout? More than playing technique this clinic will reveal: selecting cymbals for the “right” sound, how the conductor’s gestures or terminology can “communicate” to the player, placement and balance in the ensemble, sound projection, repertoire of effects/colors/sounds, effective suspended cymbal possibilities and better understanding notation in the score. Information in the clinic comes from over thirty years of exploring the secrets of successful conductors.
Is there anything else you would like attendees to know about this clinic? This clinic will examine effective strategies and methods directors can use from the podium to “fine tune” sound quality and musicality.
Biographical Information: Michael Varner has been Professor of Percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington for 29 years. As director of Percussion he is involved in Percussion Ensemble, World Ensemble, Marching Percussion, and a full schedule of students as well as directing the Ethnomusicology program. He draws from 38 years experience as a performer presenting repertoire from every style including Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, and World beat. Widely in demand as a clinician, he has been invited to present clinics in Japan, Europe, the Music Educator’s National Conventions, and State Music Education Conventions in virtually all 50 states. He received his Doctorate in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, M.M. in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan and a B.M. from Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Sponsor: Sabian Cymbals LTD, Vic Firth Mallets