Shake, Scrape and Strike
Phil-A-Rhythm demonstrates the basic and exotic qualities of instruments in the percussion family, along with their origins and unique sounds, while exploring a wide range of new rhythms and melodic forms.
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
Shake, Scrape, and Strike Assembly
Phil-A-Rhythm demonstrates the basic and exotic qualities of instruments in the percussion family, along with their origins and unique sounds, while exploring a wide range of new rhythms and melodic forms. Geared to students of all ages, the program includes a demonstration of the difference between a tuned and un-tuned percussion instrument, the history of the steel drums, and a lesson on jazz and syncopation. Students are invited on stage to play the instruments and are encouraged to sing along to well-known songs such as Under the Sea and The Lion Sleeps Tonight. The program can be tailored to middle and high school audiences as well, with more of a focus on the marching drums and drum set.
Best for: ELC • PreK-12 • Special Needs • After-School/Community
Also available as a Workshop or Residency!
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