Percussion 'Round the World
Using a world map, the audience is taken on a musical journey, traveling from country and country to explore various cultures through percussion instruments.
Pennsylvania Curriculum Standards
(A=Assembly; W=Workshop; R=Residency)
9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts A, W, R
9.2 Historical & Cultural Contexts A, W, R
15.4 Learning Through Experience A, W, R
25.3 Pro-Social Relationships with Adults W, R
25.4 Pro-Social Relationships with Peers W, R
Art Form(s): Music
Genre: Multicultural
Instrument(s): Percussion (Various)
Assembly, Workshop, and Residency Offerings
Percussion 'Round the World Assembly
Using a world map, the audience is taken on a musical journey, traveling from country and country to explore various cultures. By way of the drum (one of the world’s earliest instruments) the ensemble takes the audience to places such as China, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil and countries in Africa. Along the way, they learn the way some of the earliest percussion instruments were made, as well as the different materials present-day instruments are made of. The audience also learns how jazz and improvisation were born, and becomes able to distinguish between pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments.
Best for: K-8 • Special Needs • After-School/Community
Percussion 'Round the World Workshop
Using a world map, the audience is taken on an interactive musical journey, traveling from country and country to explore various cultures. By way of the drum (one of the world’s earliest instruments) the ensemble takes the audience to places such as China, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil and countries in Africa. Along the way, they learn the way some of the earliest percussion instruments were made, as well as the different materials present-day instruments are made of. The audience also learns how jazz and improvisation were born, and becomes able to distinguish between pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments. (Max. ~25 students)
Best for: K-8 • Special Needs • After-School/Community
Percussion 'Round the World Residency
This multi-week residency is an exciting introduction to the music, instruments, and culture from diverse geographical locations. Students will discover the effects of environment and culture on the development of percussion instruments and the sound each produces. Student will also get a chance to play many of the instruments with Bill Kerrigan and his world class percussion quartet, Phil-A-Rhythm.
Percussion ‘Round the World Residency starts with a Kick-Off Assembly presented by Phil-A-Rhythm which introduces the instruments and encourages with student participation. The assembly is followed over the course of several weeks by a series of interactive workshops for a small group (Max. ~25 students). Each workshop will focus on a particular region of the world (Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, etc.). The artists will also show and the students will learn which of the instruments are built from recycled materials.
The Grand Finale is a Dress Rehearsal and Final Assembly where the workshop participants perform alongside Phil-A-Rhythm for their school, demonstrating what they have learned throughout the course of the residency.
Best for: K-8 • Special Needs • After-School/Community
Featuring: Phil-A-Rhythm
Tom Blanchard (Ensemble Lead), Percussionist/Timpanist, was born in Fairfax, Virginia, and studied with members of the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C. He chose a career in music after being selected for the Young Apprentice Program of the National Symphony Orchestra in high school. Tom received music degrees from the University of Michigan and Temple University and has performed in 23 countries as well as multiple U.S. venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Walt Disney World, and the Pan-American Games.
Tom has recorded on numerous labels such as Deutsche Grammophon and EMI, and he has been heard on NPR, CBS, The Today Show, and the Disney Channel. Tom soloed with the Bogota (Colombia) Philharmonic, and appeared on QVC live television twice with pianist Giovanni.
Currently, Tom performs with the Delaware, Harrisburg (PA), Reading (PA), Kennett (PA), Annapolis (MD), Lancaster (PA), Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Chautauqua (NY) Symphony Orchestras, as well as Opera Delaware, Opera Philadelphia, Philadelphia Ballet, and The Philly Pops. He has played with performing artists including Wynton Marsalis, Chris Botti, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bernadette Peters, among others. Tom regularly performs, records, and tours with the Philadelphia Orchestra, including a concert for Pope Francis in Philadelphia in September 2015.
William Kerrigan has a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music from Temple University. Kerrigan has performed throughout the world with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, Shirley Bassey, Al Green, The Moody Blues, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Ben Vereen, Yes, The Manhattan Transfer, Luciano Pavarotti, The Pittsburgh Symphony, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Naples Philharmonic, The American Ballet Theatre, The Houston Ballet, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Delaware, The Aspen Music Festival and many others. In addition to Phil-A-Rhythm, he is the Principal Percussionist/Assistant Timpanist of the Delaware Symphony, Principal Percussionist with the Philly Pops, Principal Percussionist with Orchestra 2001, and Timpanist at The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Stephen Tipping is a percussionist and educator in the Greater Philadelphia Region. He performs and teaches an extensive scope of musical genres, including the marching arts, classical percussion, jazz and pop drumset, and steel pan. Stephen has performed across the East Coast, Arizona, Europe, Israel, and Puerto Rico. He most recently performed with Philadelphia-based Philadelphia Pan Stars (Philly Pan Stars) at the 2016 Brooklyn Panorama, the second largest panorama competition in the world.
Stephen currently serves as Instructor of Percussion at Delaware State University (Dover, DE), Caption Head/Lead Percussion Arranger of perennial TOB Chapter 9 Champions Caesar Rodney High School Marching Band (Camden, DE), and is now Music Consultant with 2016 WGI Championship A-Class Finalist Aftermath Percussion (Lehigh Valley, PA) after two years serving as Bass Technician on their return to Finalist status. Stephen holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Music Performance from the University of Arizona.
Brenda Weckerly – Bio forthcoming
Joined Musicopia: 2001