How to Start a Percussion Ensemble: A Beginner’s Guide
Clinic Synopsis:
Percussionists from the U.S. Naval Academy Band, West Point Band, and U.S. Air Force Academy Band join forces to highlight percussion trio and quartet repertoire that will help your students become more “well rounded” percussionists by teaching them to play snare drum, keyboards, timpani, drum set, world percussion, and so much more! This presentation will feature beginning level repertoire that is accessible and that your students will love.
Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Band, West Point Band, and U.S. Air Force Academy Band Percussion Sections
- Biographical Information
The United States Naval Academy Band is the oldest band in the United States Navy, the third oldest active duty military band in America, and one of the oldest professional musical organizations in the country. The band was officially founded in Annapolis, Maryland on November 22, 1852 by order of the Secretary of the Navy, John P. Kennedy. Since that time, the band’s primary mission has been to provide musical support to the Superintendent, Commandant, and Brigade of Midshipmen. These dedicated professionals are known across the nation as, “The Navy’s Oldest and Finest Band!”
Established in 1817, the West Point Band is the
Army’s oldest band and the oldest continuously operating unit at West Point,
tracing its lineage to the field musicians assigned by George Washington when
he established the post in 1778. Since that time, the band has evolved into one
of the most capable and versatile professional performing groups in the world.
Through its 2,600 annual missions, the West Point Band continues to serve the
nation as a piece of America’s living history.
Originally established in 1955 at Lowry Air
Force Base near Denver, Colorado, the United States Air Force Academy Band,
located in Colorado Springs, uses the power of music to honor our nation’s
flag, leaders and veterans; inspire Airmen and Guardians and the next
generation to serve; and connect the Department of the Air Force to the
American public and audiences around the world. One of only two Air Force
premier bands and the only Department of Defense premier band located west of
the Appalachian Mountains, the USAF Academy Band provides year-round support to
the United States Air Force Academy and the more than 4,000 cadets in the cadet
wing, helping develop outstanding leaders of character who will serve our
country as officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space
Force.
Musician First Class Tyler Tolles - Biographical Information
Musician 1st Class Tyler Tolles is a native of Monterey, California. He earned a Doctor of Music in percussion performance from The Florida State University (FSU), where he also received a Master of Music in percussion performance and a Master of Music in jazz studies. He received his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance with a minor in music theory from the University of North Texas (UNT). His teachers and mentors include Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Dr. Robert Schietroma, Ed Smith, Leon Anderson, Nick Finzer, Jake Nissly, and Dr. John W. Parks, IV. Tolles held the positions of Principal Percussionist and Principal Timpanist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra from 2013-2018. He was involved with Drum Corps International performing and touring with the Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets and the Santa Clara Vanguard. In 2018, Tolles began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, and serving for over three years as percussionist with the Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, California. He performed and toured with the concert band, jazz ensembles, commercial pop & rock bands, brass quintet, and percussion ensemble. In 2021, Tolles auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band where he reported for duty to Annapolis following Veterans’ training at RTC, Great Lakes. He performs with the marching band, brass ensemble, ceremonial units, and jazz combo.
Musician First Class Brandon Schantz - Biographical Information
Musician 1st Class Brandon Schantz is a native of Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He received both Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His teachers and mentors include Paul Evans, Timothy K. Adams, Jr., John Soroka, Andrew Reamer, Chris Allen, Ed Stephan, and Jeremy Branson. Schantz held a one-year contract position with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) for the 2010-2011 season and performed and recorded with the PSO on two European tours in 2011 and 2012. Additionally, Schantz has toured throughout North America and performed as a soloist with Pittsburgh’s River City Brass Band. Prior to enlisting as a musician with the U.S. Navy, Schantz appeared with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, New World Symphony, National Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Canton Symphony, and Manassas Ballet Theater. In competition, Schantz was awarded Grand Prix Winner of the Percussive Arts Society’s 2007 Le Concours International de Caisse Claire held at the famed Paris Conservatory of Music. In January 2017, Schantz auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following successful completion of recruit training at RTC, Great Lakes, he reported for duty to Annapolis where he performs as percussionist with the marching band, brass ensemble, and ceremonial units. He also serves as Operations Assistant and Transportation Manager.
Sergeant First Class David Bergman - Biographical Information
Sergeant First Class David Bergman is a native of Beaverton, Oregon. He received his Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from the University of North Texas and his Master of Music in percussion performance from Duquesne University. He was a graduate student at Cleveland State University before his appointment to the West Point Band. He was also a student at the Music Academy of the West for two summers. Sgt. 1st Class Bergman has studied percussion under Ed Stephan, Christopher Deane, Andrew Reamer, Chris Allen, Tommy Igoe, and Tom Freer. He has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Albany Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony, Canton Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. He was a snare drummer in the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and the famed University of North Texas "A-Line" Indoor Drumline. Sgt. 1st Class Bergman has received numerous awards and scholarships, including winning the Pittsburgh Concert Society Competition. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, building snare drums, and finding the most delicious ramen soup in New York City.
Technical Sergeant Kathryn Yuill - Biographical Information
Technical Sergeant Kathryn Yuill is a percussionist with the United States Air Force Academy Band at Peterson SFB. She currently performs with Stellar Brass, the Ceremonial Band, and the Concert Band. Originally from Wisconsin, Sergeant Yuill holds a BM in Music Performance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and an MM in Music Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has performed as a substitute percussionist with the Indianapolis Symphony, Terre Haute Symphony, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Mankato Symphony. She has had the pleasure of performing alongside Renee Fleming, the Joffrey Ballet, and Peter Shickele. Tech Sgt. Yuill has had the chance to work under world-renowned conductors such as Osmo Vanska, Krzysztof Urbanski, Andrew Litton, Craig Kirchoff, and Thomas Wilkins. She was previously a member of the US Air Force Band of Mid America at Scott AFB, performing with the brass quintet, concert band, jazz ensemble, and top-40 ensemble. She performed as a percussion soloist with the concert band in the spring of 2019. Sergeant Yuill has had the pleasure of studying with John Tafoya, Steve Houghton, Michael Spiro, Kevin Bobo, Fernando Meza, and Peter Kogan. She previously served as the Percussion Director at East Ridge High School in Woodbury, MN, and is a sought-after clinician and teacher in the Midwest. During the Fall of 2017, she worked as the Intern for the Percussive Arts Society, helping to plan and run the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indiana.
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