Welcome to Dan Knipple's Pages On Percussion
Here, you will find a sampling of some of Dan's musical activities.
Percussion for Worship
The following excerpts illustrate the comparison of several anthems and hymns, originally scored without percussion, then with the addition of a multi-percussion part written for one percussionist by Dan. All excerpts were performed/recorded by Dan.
Selection #1: "Now Glad of Heart" by Keaton Lee Scott (published by Hinshaw Music Inc., cat.# HI.HMC568) is a wonderful composition where Mr. Scott demonstrates exceptionally skillful use of mixed meters to maintain a cohesive flow throughout the piece. I was asked to write a multi-percussion part for a special service held on May 20, 2012, in Yorktown, VA, where I had the pleasure of accompanying the Grace Episcopal Choir.
Selection #2: "Hark Glad Songs" by Carol Barnett was commissioned in 2008 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Carol Hunter's tenure as Director of Music Ministries at Williamsburg United Methodist Church in Williamsburg, VA. The premiere performance of this work was in April 2008 by the Williamsburg United Methodist Choir. The percussion part was written for a performance the following year, referenced in the caption below.
Special Music Trio
This is a sampling of Dan's arrangements
Perc. Ensemble Spring Tour
Moving 30-40 middle school percussionists and 2 large truckloads of instruments & equipment from one location to another requires a great deal of planning on the director's part, but this can be an extremely rewarding experience for your young percussionists.
This annual event was always one of the most memorable highlights of the school year for members of the Thomas Eaton Middle School Percussion Ensemble.
See the following template for tips to directors on organizing "the big move"!
Following the guidelines of the page below can save LOTS of precious time! The director should position his/herself at the staging area to help students place cases, etc., in the correct, general area as they bring these items from the trucks.
Lessons for Students
Examples of 3 Roll Bases:
Roll Base #1: 16th notes (4 buzzes per beat), used for a fast tempo
Roll Base #2: Sextuplets (6 buzzes per beat), used for a medium tempo
Roll Base #3: 32nd notes (8 buzzes per beat), used for a slow tempo
Standard of Excellence Band Method
by Bruce Pearson, Book I, Exercise #155, Snare Drum
Recital Duo
Dan's composition, Recital Duo (for Rudimental Snare Drum with Pedal Bass Drum and Concert Snare Drum with Hi-Hat) was the winning composition of the 1993 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. It was published by CPP Belwin and was later acquired by Alfred Publications. Subsequently, it was placed POP by Alfred, but C. Alan Publications was kind enough to republish it in 2010. Recital Duo was dedicated to Dr. Gary Olmstead, Dan's percussion teacher at I.U.P., long-time mentor, and friend.
This multi-percussion duet explores a wide variety of tonal possibilities in conjunction with the contrasting styles of rudimental and concert snare drumming. The unifying element is the pervasive, underlying "boom-chick" accompaniment that generates forward momentum throughout the majority of each major section. Coupled with carefully executed dynamics, several slick metric modulations and rhythmic evolutions provide interesting twists and turns in setting up new tempi and grooves. Briefly recapping material found earlier in the piece, a short but smokin' finale brings Recital Duo to an exciting conclusion!
Click the following link to hear:
https://c-alanpublications.com/recital-duo/