Mile High Drum & Percussion Festival

DENVER, CO – The inaugural Mile High Drum & Percussion Festival (website) will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2016 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 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:

• Ted Atkatz (bio), former Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Percussionist
• Carl Dixon (bio): Brazilian Percussion
• Steve Hearn (bio), Repair, Tuning, Equipment, Instrument Maintenance
• Rick Henson, Steel Pan Drumming
• William Hill (bio), Colorado Symphony Orchestra: Timpani Technique & Excerpts
• Dr. Eric Hollenbeck (bio), Colorado State University: Marimba Technique
• Russ Meissner (bio), Colorado-based drummer: Jazz & Studio Drumming
• Mike Nevin (bio), Marching Percussion Techniques
• Dr. Julie Strom, Percussion Faculty at Regis University: Intro to Percussion
• Rashid Williams (bio), R&B Funk Drum Set

Performing Ensembles:

• Blue Knights Percussion Ensemble (bio)
• Colorado Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble

Sponsors:

• Ascend Performing Arts (website)
• Denver Percussion (website)
• Denver Young Artists Orchestra (website)
• Englewood High School Pirate Band (website)
• Littleton Drum Studio (website)
• Lodo Drum Guy (website)
• Majestic Percussion (website)
• Mapex Percussion (website)
• Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (website)
• Vic Firth (website)
• Zildjian (website)

Exhibitors: 

• Ascend Performing Arts (website)
• Denver Percussion (website)
• Denver Young Artists Orchestra (website)
• Drums West (website)
• Englewood High School Pirate Band (website)
• Legacy Drum Shop (website)
• Majestic Percussion (website)
• Mapex Percussion (website)
• Rupp’s Drums (website)

Date: Sunday, May 1, 2016

Location (please part in the southwest lot):

Englewood High School (map)
3800 S Logan St,
Englewood, CO 80113

Schedule (updated as of April 29, 2016):

NOTE: Food and refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day from 10:00am-5:00pm provided by our host, the Englewood High School Band.

Admission Prices:

• Festival (Festival ticket holders get FREE admission to Concert)
  • Student: $10 pre-pay, $15 at the door
  • General: $15 pre-pay, $20 at the door
  • Children under 10 years old: FREE!

• Concert
  • Student: $5 pre-pay, $10 at the door
  • General: $10 pre-pay, $15 at the door
  • Children under 10 years old: FREE!

∴ Learn more at milehighdrumfest.com!