AboutJustin Robards Expertise I can answer questions on any marching or symphonic percussion instruments. I can give ideas for pit setups, battery setups, practice procedures, or anything else marching or symphonic percussion-wise. I can pretty much cover all percussion categories but I am not as strong as I`d like to be in latin and african percussion. Marching percussion is my forte. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME HOW MUCH A VINTAGE DRUM OR MALLET INSTRUMENT IS WORTH. I AM NOT AN ARCHIVER. ASK A LOCAL MUSIC STORE FOR THIS. Thanks!
Experience I am currently a High School marching percussion instructor and I was an instructor for the Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, the Magic Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition, I have been the cymbal tech of the WGI Independent Open line Paradox Percussion Theatre and am currently the front ensemble coordinator for the WGI Independent World line Infinity Percussion (www.infinitypercussion.com). I have 8 years of drum corps experience, 4 years of high school experience, 4 years of college (symphony), three years teaching at a Div. I drum corps level, four years teaching indoor drumlines, and I've had the pleasure of meeting many prominent instructors in the drum corps and marching percussion categories. I can help you with marching equipment, techniques, how to start playing, pretty much everything in the marching and Symphonic world of percussion.
Organizations PAS
FMEA
Education/Credentials 4 years high school
AA in Music at Indian River State College
completing my BA in Music at the University of Central Florida
Awards and Honors Endorsed by Vic Firth sticks, Yamaha percussion, and Zildjian cymbals.
Past/Present Clients Many high school, drum corps, and WGI groups
Question QUESTION: I am planning to major in music.
I am in process of preparing for my audition.
I want your suggestion on which music to perform.
I am not sure which etude or all state band music (anyway what is all state music??).
I am looking for good timpani, mallets, and drum solos.. Could you give me a good piece to perform for my audition?
Thank you
ANSWER: Abigail,
The best thing to do in your situation is to go online to the college of music at whatever school you want to go to. Many schools will have suggestions as to what to play. If you cannot find any, something from the cirone book for snare drum, something from the goodman modern timpani book, and a marimba solo like yellow after the rain or raindance will usually do.
Sorry it took a little while to answer. I hope this helps.
Justin Robards
ps- Go onto University of Central Florida's website and look for percussion audition materials. They have a good outline of what to play.
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QUESTION: What if I am in AFRICA and not able to get any music?? and I have to record my audition in a month??
Answer A good marimba piece for auditions that is not too hard is Rain Dance. Buy the portraits in rhythm book by cirone, and Play an excerpt from Saul Goodman's Modern Method for timpani.
You can get all of these from www.steveweissmusic.com. Have them deliever as soon as possible. Tell them your situation and they are good at expediting things for you. I hope this helps.
