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.
Michael Varner
- 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.