Overview
The eighth annual festival features several Colorado high school ensembles, esteemed guest percussionist Andy Bliss, and the CSU Percussion Ensemble. Guest clinicians work with high school ensembles in master classes and clinics, followed by an evening concert.
During the day, High School ensembles receive feedback from guest clinicians, master classes are presented by guest artists and clinics on primary percussion instruments are included. A concluding concert at 6 p.m. in the Instrumental Rehearsal Hall features the CSU Percussion Ensemble.
Registration for the daytime event is free, but required. Address inquiries to Dr. Hollenbeck.
2022 Guest Artist: Dr. Gene Fambrough
Gene Fambrough is currently Assistant Director of Bands and Professor of Percussion at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he has been on the faculty since 2001. He holds degrees from The University of Georgia (Bachelor of Music, Music Education), East Carolina University (Master of Music, Music Performance), and The University of Alabama (Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Performance). He directs the UAB Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Electro-Acoustic Percussion Group, and Blazer Band, serves as percussion arranger and instructor for the UAB Marching Blazers, and is assistant conductor for the UAB Wind Symphony and Symphony Band. His compositions are published by Musician C. Alan, Innovative Percussion, Rhythmic Expressions, and T.A.P. Publications. As a performer, he has appeared with the Alabama Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, Panama Steel, The Bizarre Arte Ensemble, and the Spirit of Atlanta drum and bugle corps. Dr. Fambrough’s articles have appeared in Percussive Notes and The Instrumentalist. He has also presented lectures on the use of non-traditional notation for multiple percussion solos, including techniques utilized by Stockhausen, Feldman, and Xenakis.
Dr. Fambrough has presented clinics and concerts at the Alabama Music Educators Conference and the Alabama PAS Day of Percussion. He appeared at PASIC 2012 as a member of the PAS "All-Star" Steel Band and as a panelist for the World Percussion Committee discussion. He also serves as an Associate Editor for Percussive Notes, overseeing the "Marching/Rudimental" section of the journal.
Prior to his appointment at UAB, he spent three years in public school education as both assistant band director and band director at Oak Grove High School in Bessemer, Alabama. His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda. He is a clinician/endorser for Pearl/Adams percussion, Sabian cymbals, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, Evans drumheads, and Black Swamp accessories. genefambrough.com
Past Guest Artists
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022
- 1 p.m.: Clinic with Guest Artist Dr. Gene Fambrough
- Afternoon Concert: High School Percussion Ensemble Concert given by local ensembles with instruction provided by CSU percussion faculty Shilo Stroman, Dr. Eric Hollenbeck.
- 6 p.m.: CSU Percussion Ensemble Concert
