IF YOU PLAY DRUMS OR PERCUSSION or IF YOU ARE A MUSIC EDUCATOR please take a few moments to read…thank you in advance!
This is going to be a "not-so-short" essay about the KoSA Drum Festival & Camp held July 22-27 at Castleton State College in Vermont. I met Aldo Mazza about 20 years ago at PASIC and he was telling me about this drum camp he was starting and how he wanted it to be "the thing" that every drummer and percussionist wanted/needed to do. Fast forward to 2011 and Aldo's KoSA festival was in its 16th year and had a reputation for being one of the greatest drum events on the planet. Over the winter leading up to KoSA I received a phone call and was asked to be on the staff for the 2011 camp…of course I accepted on the spot!
With all that I knew about KoSA, I had no idea what I was getting into! I was on the staff and it was a life changing experience for me. I believe I learned as much as the students and in my adult life it was the single greatest event I have been involved with.
At most drum/percussion events you get a feeling of being there to listen to the music, listen to the masters and with little bits of hands on opportunity you learn. (At least that is my experience) KoSA is different. At KoSA, the staff and the students together ARE THE MUSIC!!!!!!!
Through the years I have been blessed to have played with some of the greatest rudimental drummers in the world, hear their stories, enjoy their company, play their compositions and most importantly listen to their music. I am also in a great position to share this passion for rudimental drumming with others. At KoSA you have drummers/percussionist from all backgrounds…classical, jazz, rock, funk, African, Brazilian, Latin, world, electronic and more. And for the second time in 4 years I am the rudimental/marching guy.
When I was there in 2011 the whole week was incredible. I had no idea what to expect and the first day Carmine Appice Himself was at my masterclass and invited me to do a "rock & rudimental drum duet." Dom Famularo gave valuable advice to everyone about being hands on, not leaving KoSA saying "I wish I had" and sharing with the campers what KoSA is all about. Then I went to teach my first class and Marcus Santos was in the room to learn more about my style of drumming. Seeing Jim Royle in action was motivational and visiting Michael Wimberly's class as a student was eye opening! I figured I would have mostly drummers with marching interests as students, but everyone who entered my class was from a different background. Drum set players, hand drum enthusiasts, steel drum performers, concert percussionist and keyboard specialist all wanted to work on rudimental drumming. It wasn't until the third day that drummers with rudimental backgrounds showed up to my class…and I think that is a good thing!!!!!!!!!!!
You learn a lot about people when you have a meal with them and at KoSA the students and staff eat together. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, sitting and talking drums with the likes of Zoro The Drummer or Jimmy Cobb or Sergio Bellotti can change your perspective on music!!!!!
This years staff is another group of all-stars and I am humbled to be joining them. (In alphabetical order!) Robby Ameen, Sergio Bellotti, Chris Coleman, Mario DeCiutiis, Frank Epstein, Dom Famularo, Richie Garcia, Jamey Haddad, Jojo Mayer, Aldo Mazza, Allan Molnar, John Riley, Jeff Salisbury, Marcus Santos and Michael Wimberly. And I can't forget the incredible rhythm section led by Bob Quaranta on piano and Irio O'Farrill on bass.
SOOOOOOOOOO, I am EXTREMELY passionate about the KoSA experience. If you have ANY questions please message me. If you want more info on registration and cost, visit the website
http://www.kosamusic.com or contact Aldo Mazza directly. I promise you will have a great experience and I hope to meet many of you (including Brandon Cruz!) next month at KoSA 19!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all for your time and happy summer…NOW STOP READING, PICK UP YOUR STICKS AND START MAKING MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DC
_________________
DC
In the spirit,
Dominick Cuccia
The Great American Fife & Drum Band
SKYPE LESSONS NOW
AVAILABLE/thefifeanddrumguy@gmail.comProud to endorse Cooperman, Innovative Percussion, Meredith Music Publications, Remo & Yamaha!!!!!
www.dominickcuccia.com
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