UNT Marimba Workshop
The 2010 University of North Texas Marimba Workshop was held at the UNT College of Music on June 21-25, 2011. Guest faculty for the workshop included Prof. She-e Wu from Northwestern University, Dr. Brian Zator from Texas A & M University at Commerce, and Dr. Scott Herring from the University of South Carolina. Prof. Mark Ford, UNT's Coordinator of Percussion, hosted the event and also served on the workshop faculty. Thirty-four high school and college students from the United States and Canada attended the workshop. All of the students attended many sessions including marimba master classes, technique and sight reading classes, a Baroque performance clinic by Prof. Wu, and a composition session by Prof. Ford. Each of the students also received private lessons and performed in an ensemble. Additionally there was a faculty recital, two student recitals and an ensemble concert. The UNT Marimba Workshop was sponsored in part by Innovative Percussion.
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Ludwig Albert Int'l Marimba Academy 2011
The fifth edition of the Ludwig Albert International Marimba Academy will take place in the historic city of Sint-Truiden from April 11-21, 2011 in the beautifully sounding Academic Hall. In the past, this academy has welcomed over 100 students from abroad, all praising the academy for the daily individual classes by lecturers, plenty of practice time, rooms and instruments, and a wonderful atmosphere. Admittance is on a first come-first served basis. For more information and applications, please visit www.ludwigalbert.com.
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Congratulations John Spittle!
Innovative Percussion would like to send their congratulations to artist John Spittle who placed 5th in the Best Country Drummer category for the 2010 Modern Drummer Reader's Poll. Also, check out the latest installment of IP's "Life on the Road" featuring John Spittle, of Trace Adkins: Life on the Road.
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Ed Soph's Summer Clinic Appearances
IP Signature Artist Ed Soph has been on the move. Aside from his responsibilities as Professor in the Jazz Studies and Performance Divisions of the College of Music at the University of North Texas, Ed recently gave clinics and concerts in Sweden and Finland, appeared at the 19th Annual Central California Day of Percussion hosted by Dr. Matt Darling, gave concerts and clinics with pianist Stefan Karlsson and bassist Eddie Gomez at the Conservatory of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was featured artist in the "Jazz at Wolfson" series at Miami Dade College in Miami, FL, was guest artist at the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival, was featured clinician and performer at Music Fest Canada in Ottawa, and gave performances at the Rochester Jazz Festival in Rochester, New York. Next, Ed will be teaching and playing at Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Workshop held at the University of Louisville, July 4-9 and July 11-16. The Workshops have earned a reputation for producing the best intensive programs for learning jazz improvisation. Ed will also be teaching and performing at the UNT Jazz Combo Workshop July 18-23.
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The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps choose Innovative Percussion
Innovative Percussion welcomes The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, from Dubuque, IA, to its family of drum corps. Beginning in 2010, the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and its affiliate programs will be proudly playing Innovative Percussion products exclusively. For more information on the Colts, please visit www.colts.org
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Freelancers Partner with Innovative Percussion
Innovative Percussion would like to announce their partnership with eight time world class finalist Freelancers Winter Drum Line. As a member of WGI since 1997, Freelancers were PIO Class Champions in 1998 and are 5 time medalists for Open and World Class. Known for their unique programming style, Freelancers were the only group to utilize “Jazz Choir” with the drum line. After a one year hiatus from the activity, Freelancers are coming out strong this competitive season with plans to return to WGI Championships in Dayton, OH. Don Silva, director for the organization says, “The Freelancer's Indoor Ensemble is pleased to be using Innovative's line of sticks and mallets for the 2010 season. The company's emphasis on quality of workmanship, quality of sound, and designing sticks and mallets to keep up with changing demands, makes them the best at what they do”.
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Mark Ford presents Texas All-State Audition Materials
Innovative Percussion artist Mark Ford has compiled video lessons for this year's Texas All-State audition music. Even if you do not live in Texas this lesson series is a valuable resource for every percussionist.
Click here to view!
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Marimba: Technique Through Music now includes DVD
Mark Ford’s Marimba: Technique Through Music has quickly become a standard four-mallet method book. This resource is now expanded with the inclusion of an instructional DVD. Click here to see previews.
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Maraca2 Embarks On Debut US Tour
The talented UK percussion duo Maraca2 featuring IP artists Jason Huxtable and Tim Palmer will kick off their US tour starting September 17th encompassing stops at 15 universities across the country. As a tour highlight, Maraca2 will give an ensemble clinic at PASIC 2009 on November 12th to include a premier performance of the concerto Espiritu Libre with the University of Southern Mississippi percussion ensemble. Please visit IP clinic and concert calendar for more on Maraca2's upcoming tour dates, or you may visit their website at www.maraca2.com.
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University of Southern Cal performs with Radiohead at Grammys!
On February 8, 32 members from the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band performed live on stage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards with the band, Radiohead. Joining lead singer Thom Yorke and guitarist Johnny Greenwood, USC performed a version of the song 15 Step from Radiohead’s latest album In Rainbows. The percussion music was arranged by Innovative Percussion artist Tad Carpenter, and Entertainment Weekly magazine hailed it as “the best Grammy performance ever” as it received one of the biggest ovations of the entire evening.
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Marching Band Bontang Pupuk Kaltim wins 9th Grand Prix Title!
Marching Band Bontang Pupuk Kaltim (MB Bontang PKT), from Bontang, Indonesia, recently captured their 9th Indonesian Grand Prix Championship title. Under the direction of IP artist Rene Conway, the group performed their show entitled “Vincero! The Best of PKT”. The program was based on a selection of some the MBPK’s favorite charts from the past 14 years. Selections included: Nessun Dorma from the Puccini opera, Turandot; Pagliacci based on the Aria Vesti La Giubba; Eric Whitacre’s Water Night; Yanni’s Santorini; a percussion feature entitled Downwind; and closing the show with Pat Metheny’s First Circle.
Marching Band Bontang Pupuk Kaltim is a community-based organization comprised of mainly Junior High and High School students from more than 20 area schools. Based in the city of Bontang, they are sponsored by the Pupuk Kaltim fertilizer company, as well as the local community.
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The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps choose Innovative Percussion!
Innovative Percussion welcomes The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps from San Antonio, TX, to its family of drum corps. Beginning in 2009 The Crossmen will use IP products exclusively in the battery and front ensemble. “The Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps organization has a highly respected and long standing tradition in the DCI activity. We are very happy to welcome them to the Innovative Percussion family and look forward to a rewarding partnership for many years to come,” stated Erik Johnson, President of Innovative Percussion, Inc. Executive Director of The Crossmen, Fred Morrison, said “Crossmen endorsement relationships mean so much more than the products we use as they allow us to offer a world class experience for all of our members. Innovative Percussion’s personal touch and willingness to help The Crossmen improve is a priceless key to our future. They are a world class organization whose quality of product speaks for itself. The Crossmen feel very fortunate to be joining forces with IP.” For more information on The Crossmen please visit their website at www.crossmen.org.
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Mat Britain visits Taiwan
Mat Britain, Innovative Percussion endorser since 1996, recently returned from teaching Steel Drums at the Taipei International Percussion Summer Camp (TIPSC) held at the Taipei National University School of the Arts in Taiwan. The ten day percussion intensive camp has grown over the past nine years to include 200+ students ranging from 10 to 21 years of age.
Multiculturalism and diversity is the theme of TIPSC with classes in marimba, vibraphone/improvisation, marching percussion, steel drums, drum set, and three forms of traditional Chinese percussion. Founder of the TIPSC and President of the Taipei National University School of the Arts, Professor Tzong-Ching, Ju says “It is our goal with the camp to expose our students to the differences between Eastern and Western percussion techniques and to introduce them to the percussive skills utilized in other cultures. The international faculty we bring together allows us to present a truly international curriculum to the students attending the camp”. The Taipei National University also has the only set of Steel Drums on the island of Taiwan so it was a new and exciting experience for the students to experience the Steel Band art form and the rhythms of Calypso music.
Many of the 200 students were given the opportunity to try some of the Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. “My Innovative stick bag was open and available to all of the students to check out”, said Britain. “The favorite drum set sticks were the Ed Soph-2 (ES-2 Hickory) and the new Hybrid stick (IP-HB). The steel pan mallets at the camp were in pretty bad shape so many of the students used my Innovative pan sticks which I left behind for the University to use.” Many of the TIPSC students were new to the Innovative line and were very impressed with the products.
About his experiences at the camp Britain says, “It was my first trip to Asia and I was a bit nervous about teaching through an interpreter and also the food! “Everything worked out great! My interpreter, Yu-Rong, Wang, is from Taiwan but is studying for her Masters in Percussion Performance at Michigan State University so she was able to talk in musical terms with the students. By the end of the first day she was used to my teaching style and we developed a nice rhythm with the classes. As for the food, I loved everything but a dish they call “Stinky Tofu”!
Asked what he liked best about his first trip to Taiwan, without hesitation Britain says, “The people. The students were respectful, attentive, and very good musicians, and everyone associated with the Taipei International Percussion Summer Camp treated the visiting faculty like royalty. I would go back in a heartbeat”.
To see pictures of the TIPSC visit www.myspace.com/matbritain
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James Campbell elected to DCI Hall of Fame
Innovative Percussion signature artist James Campbell, currently a Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor and Director of Percussion Studies in the University of Kentucky School of Music, has been elected into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. Campbell is responsible for much of the modern look and sound of today’s drum corps percussion ensembles. With a legendary background as an instructor and arranger for the Guardsmen (Schaumburg, IL) and Cavaliers (Rosemont, IL) from the ‘70s through the ‘90s, Campbell’s credits include winning three High Percussion Awards and two World Championships in the process. He is also credited with helping to introduce World music concepts and contemporary performance practice into marching percussion arranging. As an equipment designer, he also helped design the modern tenor drum array, holds two patents for drum head design, and pioneered the use of the front ensemble (pit) percussion. Campbell, along with three others, will be inducted this upcoming August during DCI finals week, held in Bloomington, IN. For more information please visit www.dci.org.
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IP Artist Booth Appearances at WGI Finals
If you are attending this year’s WGI Finals in Dayton, Ohio, be sure to stop by the Innovative Percussion booth to meet some of the marching activity’s most influential figures. Artists include Jim Ancona, Jim Casella, Julie Davila, Tim Fairbanks, Shane Gwaltney, Bret Kuhn, Mike McIntosh, Tom Rarick, and Paul Rennick. Appearances will take place on Friday from 1:30 – 2:30 and 5:00 – 6:00, and again on Saturday from 12:00 – 1:00. In addition, Tim Jackson will give a booth clinic on Friday from 3:00 – 4:00. Please stop by the booth to meet everyone and to check out all of the great products offered by Innovative Percussion.
Keep checking the website for videos and photos from WGI Finals!
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NorthCoast Academy joins the Innovative Percussion family of ensembles
Innovative Percussion is proud to announce that the NorthCoast Academy Percussion Ensemble has joined the IP family of ensembles. Beginning in 2008, NorthCoast Academy will use Innovative Percussion products exclusively.
“The NorthCoast Academy Percussion Ensemble is synonymous with excellence and they continue to set new standards in performance and design in the WGI activity,” stated Erik Johnson, president of Innovative Percussion Inc. “We are extremely excited to be working with this ensemble and we are looking forward to their 2008 production.”
NorthCoast Academy director Diane King says "NorthCoast Academy is very excited about our new relationship with Innovative Percussion. We can't wait to experience the quality and leadership that has become a trademark of the IP product and personnel."
About North Coast Academy
NorthCoast Academy's history begins in 1965 with the founding of the Saginaires Drum & Bugle Corps, part of the Saginaires Youth Organization. The organization also contained the Saginaires Youth Band, and the Saginaires Eagles, a feeder corps. Starting as a parade corps, the Saginaires moved into competition in the early seventies, achieving rapid success and eventually becoming Michigan's highest-ranked drum corps, a title they still retain to this day. Throughout the years the organization evolved and in 2002 the NorthCoast Academy Percussion Ensemble was founded as an Independent Open class competing group. By the 2004 season the ensemble was competing in Independent World class at WGI events and since then, has maintained a status as Michigan’s highest ranking indoor percussion ensemble.
For more information please visit www.northcoastacademy.org.
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Senators and DrumSpirit Capture 2007 DCE Titles
Innovative Percussion Inc. wishes to congratulate the Senators Drum & Bugle Corps and DrumSpirit on capturing the 2007 open class and percussion class titles at this year’s Drum Corps Europe Championships. Being the first UK drum corps to win a DCE title, the Senators won the Percussion, Music Effect, Ensemble Music, and Ensemble Visual captions. Congratulations also go to open class finalists Juliana and Wölper Löwen. A special thank you goes out to the 6th Hove Scouts, Black Knights, and Federatieband for choosing to support Innovative Percussion and congratulations to everyone on a successful weekend at the Drum Corps Europe Championships!
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Woelper Loewen Capture Drum Corps Germany Title
On Saturday September 15, the Woelper Loewen Drum and Bugle Corps captured its third consecutive Drum Corps Germany title. In addition, the corps captured its first high percussion caption award since 2004, along with high visual, general effect, and brass captions. Innovative Percussion is very thankful for the support from Woelper Loewen and congratulates them on their championship victory!
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Marching Drumstick Practice Tips
Why buy a brand new pair of sticks that you’re only going to use simply to practice? Why not practice with your favorite sticks whenever and wherever you can? Innovative Percussion now offers removable rubber practice tips designed to fit any marching drumstick. Each package of RPT-1s contains one pair each of the three sizes, thin, medium, and thick, so the player can choose the thickness to best suits their feel and sound needs. The tips can be easily added to any marching drumstick for individual practice or to create another unique color effect within a marching percussion ensemble.
Click here for more information
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Senators Percussion Ensemble clips now available in the IP media vault
Now available in the Innovative Percussion media vault – video clips of the Senators Percussion Ensemble from Hampshire, England. An affiliate of the Senators Drum & Bugle Corps, the Senators Percussion Ensemble is under the direction of John McNamara. Their 2007 production, entitled “WIRED”, was designed by Tim Fairbanks and Mark Reynolds, and featured arrangements by Andrew Markworth. For more information on the Senators please click here to visit their website.
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New Products for 2007
Below are the newest products from Innovative Percussion. Please contact your local dealer for pricing information. Click on a product below for more information!
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Julie Davila and Percussion XS
Innovative Percussion artist Julie Davila is the founder and director of a brand new youth program that provides a unique experience for local students. Percussion XS was created to give High School students in the Middle Tennessee area who come from varying backgrounds and band programs an opportunity to participate in a percussion ensemble or drum line that enhances their already existing percussion education. This percussion program focuses on achieving excellence in both skill development and performance. The Percussion XS experience strives to provide students with diverse musical training in all areas of percussion study. Students are encouraged to set high standards, maintain a strong work ethic and work together as a team to reach their full potential as a contributing musician. Please visit the Percussion XS website for more information.
Click here for video of Percussion XS
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Innovative Percussion Artists at WGI
Come by the Innovative Percussion booth at WGI this Friday and Saturday to meet and greet several IP artists in person! Autograph sessions will be held on Friday from 12:30 – 1:30 and on Saturday from 12:00 – 1:00 and will feature Jim Ancona, Jim Casella, Julie Davila, Tim Fairbanks, Shane Gwaltney, Bret Kuhn, Mike McIntosh, and Paul Rennick. On Friday at 3:30 and on Saturday at 11:00 stop by to see special appearances and pad drumming duets with Tim Jackson and Dave Ellis. This talented duo recently completed a tour of Japan and will be showcasing their talents in the IP booth this weekend. Stop by booths 46 & 47 to see all of these artists and much more!
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Congratulations to Aimachi on capturing the AJMBA Title
The Aimachi marching band, under the direction of Mr. Kiyokazu Sekine, recently won the All Japanese Marching Band Association championship. In addition to winning with a score of 96.55, Aimachi also had the highest average percussion score of 97.5. Innovative Percussion wishes to congratulate Aimachi on another successful season and would also like to thank them for supporting our products.
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Innovative Percussion is pleased to welcome marimba/percussion artist, educator and composer, She-e Wu as a new signature artist. Ms. Wu is Associate Professor of Music and Chair of Performance and Jazz Faculties at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey where she directs the Rutgers Percussion Ensemble and coordinates the Percussion Program. She-e is currently working with Innovative Percussion designers on a series of solo marimba mallets due to be released in 2007. “She-e is an incredibly talented performer and educator”, stated George Barrett, Innovative Percussion CEO. “We are extremely excited to have her as part of the Innovative Percussion family and look forward to developing a unique and innovative series of marimba mallets, to further expand our marimba mallet options.” To learn more about She-e Wu, click here to view her full biography.
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Nebojša Zivkovic joins Innovative Percussion
Innovative Percussion is pleased to announce the addition of international marimba/percussion artist and composer, Nebojša Zivkovic as a new signature artist. Nebojša is currently working with Innovative Percussion designers on a series of solo marimba mallets due to be released in 2007. “We are extremely excited to be working with such a highly recognized international percussion artist”, stated George Barrett, Innovative Percussion CEO. “Nebojša's designs will offer percussionists worldwide an even greater, more unique and diverse marimba mallet series to expand their marimba mallet options.” To learn more about Nebojša Zivkovic, click here to view his extensive biography.
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Congratulations to Woelper Loewen Drum and Bugle Corps
On September 16, the Woelper Loewen Drum and Bugle Corps repeated as the Drum Corps Germany champions. With a score of 78.45 Woelper Loewen also won the general effect, visual, and brass caption awards. Best of luck to everyone on the upcoming DCE championships!
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IP artist Julie Davila recently interviewed Japanese marimba artist Momoko Kamiya
Innovative Percussion is pleased to announce the latest addition to our media vault. IP artist Julie Davila recently interviewed Japanese marimba artist Momoko Kamiya for a podcast in conjunction with the Percussive Arts Society. Click here to listen to the entire podcast interview and to read Momoko’s bio.
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Rhythm X to Tour Europe in 2007
On March 23, 2007 Rhythm X in conjunction with Muremo Music (European Distributor for Innovative Percussion) and Dynasty USA, will make history by being the first independent indoor drumline to tour Europe! Rhythm X will embark on an experience that will take the indoor drumline activity to a new level. "We are honored and excited for this opportunity. This tour will promote the indoor percussion activity in Europe and open doors for future international growth", said Craig Dunn the executive director and founder of Rhythm X. Rhythm X will embark on a 10 day European tour that will begin in London, England and will conclude in Gent, Belgium. While in Europe Rhythm X will visit London and Crawley England, St Quentin and Paris France, Brussels and Bruges, Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Gent Belgium. During this historic tour Rhythm X will be hosting clinics and competing on the European circuit CGN.
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WGI Championships Media Coverage
Please visit the media section to view all the media coverage from WGI Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Click on the "featured media" icon above to view pictures from finals performances and video clips from the parking lot.
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Innovative Percussion at WGI
Innovative Percussion will once again be covering WGI finals in Dayton, Ohio. Keep an eye on our website for photos and parking lot video clips from the weekend’s events. For those of you in attendance, please visit the IP booth and check out a DVD of performance clips from the Nashville regional, and autograph sessions with artists such as Jim Casella, Paul Rennick, Jim Ancona, Mike McIntosh, Bret Kuhn, Tim Fairbanks, and Shane Gwaltney. Please check the website for updated times.
Best of luck to everyone competing in Dayton!
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Kennan Wylie publishes educational DVD entitled ‘The Beginner’s Guide to the World of Percussion.
This DVD should be in every percussion instructor and band director's library. It is an outstanding collection of information and instruction geared for the beginning percussionist.
- Over twenty-five percussion instruments are demonstrated.
- Accurate and specific instruction concerning technique, stroke production, mallet/stick selection, instrument setup, and more.
- Featuring Kennan Wylie, Christopher Deane, Jorge Ginorio, and Dan Wojocieowski.
- A must have resource material for any beginner percussionist and music teacher.
K. Wylie Publications has a full line of beginning percussionist instructional books, solos, and ensembles. "Simple Steps" is the instructional series written by Kennan Wylie, instructor of the acclaimed Marcus High School Percussion Program.
The Marcus group has received national recognition both on and off the field including nine P.A.S.I.C. Marching championships and winner of the P.A.S. "Call for Tapes" in 1999 and 2003.
Visit www.kwylie.com for additional publications for the young percussionist.
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Mark Ford Introduces New Method Book for Marimba
Introducing the newest publication from Innovative Percussion Inc: Marimba: Technique Through Music by Mark Ford. This method book is designed to teach proper four-mallet technique through original etudes, each composed by Mark Ford. Techniques discussed include single independent, single alternating, double lateral, and double vertical strokes. According to James Campbell of the University of Kentucky, Technique Through Music “is a powerful tool to help young musicians understand technique and musicality.” Please contact your local music retailer for more information.
Click here for more information!
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Raiders and IP continue long-time partnership in 2006
The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps, who are the reigning 2005 DCI Division III Champions, are very excited about the upcoming season and the continued relationship with Innovative Percussion. Hailing from Wayne, NJ, the Raiders are under the direction of Phillip C. Melius, Thomas Maiello, and Christopher DeSenzo. Percussion caption head Steve Rodriguez states, "Innovative continues to provide us with some the finest sticks in the industry today. The quality of their marching sticks and front ensemble mallets gives us the chance to provide our members with the right tools to perform at the highest levels." For more information on the Raiders please visit www.raidersdbc.org.
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Educational Materials
Our family of artists continues to lead the percussion industry in education. We have many educational materials from them available right here on our website. Click here for a list of our educational resources!
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IP Wearables
Innovative Percussion has a great line of wearables.
Click here to view the product line and download a PDF order form today!
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New Products for 2006
Below are the newest products from Innovative Percussion. Please contact your local dealer for pricing information. Click on a product below for more information!
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Innovative Percussion announces partnership with Yamaha Canada
Innovative Percussion is pleased to announce a new partnership with Yamaha Canada for product distribution to dealers throughout all of Canada. According to Innovative Percussion CEO, George Barrett, “Innovative Percussion is extremely excited about our new partnership with Yamaha Canada and feel confident that Yamaha’s commitment and resources in the school market will allow Innovative Percussion to better service the Canadian percussion market.” Pictured here are (L to R) Steve Butterworth of Yamaha, Lowell Layne of Innovative Percussion, George Barrett of Innovative Percussion, and Chris Reesor of Yamaha.
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