DENVER, CO – The next Mile High Drum & Percussion Festival (website) will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Englewood High School (map). This event is a collaborative effort produced by Ascend Performing Arts and Denver Young Artists Orchestra (website) and is sponsored by KHS America “Academic Alliance“, Mapex Percussion, Majestic Percussion, Vic Firth, Zildjian, Littleton Drum Studio, Lodo Drum Guy, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and the Englewood High School Band Boosters. The day will be full of performances and clinics by leading artists and ensembles in the percussion industry.
“It is a unique opportunity in the Denver area for percussionists of all ages to experience everything involved in the world of percussion from jazz to marching drum line to the orchestra and everything in between,” said Kelly Waltrip, Executive Director, Denver Young Artists Orchestra. “By tearing down boundaries between the various genres, we want a non-competitive atmosphere to celebrate all that falls under the umbrella of drumming and percussion.”
The Mile High Drum & Percussion Festival brings together artists, educators, vendors, and students for a day of workshops and performances that will expose students to the opportunities and styles that are available to them. Participants will have a special opportunity to experience many different forms of percussion and drumming that they may not have been exposed to and open up some new possibilities.
“We are very excited to be working with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and our sponsor partners in this joint effort,” said Mark Arnold, Executive Director, Ascend Performing Arts. “This will be a fun day of percussion featuring some of the best in the business coming to give a clinic and a concert.”
Artists & Clinicians:
- Josh Beyers (bio), former Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussionist
- Carl Dixon (bio): Brazilian Percussion
- Colin Constance (bio): A Historical View of Orchestral Percussion Instruments
- Dr. James W. Doyle (bio), Adams State University: Percussion  & Music Business
- Steve Hearn (bio), Repair, Tuning, Equipment, Instrument Maintenance
- Rick Henson, Steel Pan Drumming
- Dr. Eric Hollenbeck (bio), Colorado State University: Marimba Technique
- Drew McPheeters, Scottish Drumming with Denver & District Pipe Band
- Mike Nevin (bio), Marching Percussion Techniques
- She-E Wu (bio), Associate Professor of Music & Director of Percussion at Northwestern University
Performing Ensembles:
- Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (bio)
- Denver Young Artists Orchestra EnsembleÂ
- Rocky Mountain Steel Band
Sponsors:
- Ascend Performing Arts (website)
- Black Swamp Percussion (website)
- Denver Percussion (website)
- Denver Young Artists Orchestra (website)
- Englewood High School Pirate Band (website)
- Majestic Percussion (website)
- Mapex Percussion (website)
- Rupp’s Drums (website)
- Vic Firth (website)
- Zildjian (website)
Exhibitors:Â
- Adams State University (website)
- Ascend Performing Arts (website)
- Denver Percussion (website)
- Denver Young Artists Orchestra (website)
- Englewood High School Pirate Band (website)
- Majestic Percussion (website)
- Mapex Percussion (website)
- Rocky Mountain Steel Band (website)
- She-E Wu (website)
Date:Â Saturday, May 5, 2018
Location (please part in the southwest lot):
Englewood High School (map)
3800 S Logan St,
Englewood, CO 80113
*NOTE: Full schedule posted soon. Festival registration/check-in starts at 9:00am, clinics begin at 10:00am with the performance concert at 6:00pm.
Admission Prices:
- Festival (Festival ticket holders get FREE admission to Concert)
- Admission: $10 pre-pay, $15 at the door
- Children under 10 years old: FREE!
- Concert
- Admission: $10 pre-pay, $15 at the door
- Children under 10 years old: FREE!
∴ Learn more at milehighdrumfest.com!