News

The Lee University School of Music will host “Day of Percussion” on Saturday, March 16, with guest artists Lalo Davila and John Riley.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by Drum Circle and a special presentation by Colin Hill, titled, “Finding Your Practice Personality.” Riley’s clinic will follow at 10 a.m., while Davila will present at 3:30 p.m. The day will also include performances by East Tennessee High School and University Percussion Ensembles.
“This event will provide an opportunity for musicians to learn from some of the best in the world on these instruments. It also provides a unique experience for those performing to play in front of a large group of percussionists.” said Dr. Andrew Harnsberger, assistant professor of music at Lee.

Davila and Riley will also perform with the Lee University Jazz Ensemble Saturday evening at 7:30.

Davila, the director of percussion studies at Middle Tennessee State University, was selected as one of Nashville’s Top Five Percussionists of the Year in 1998. He has toured with many artists including the Nashville Symphony, the Panhandlers Steel Band and the “Take 6” Summer 1996 tour of Japan.

Known as an outstanding clinician and adjudicator, Davila has conducted clinics throughout the United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Japan, and is an active clinician/performer for the Pearl Corporation, Row-Loff Productions, Avedis Zildjian Co., Innovative Percussion, and EVANS Drumheads. He earned his master’s of music degree from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s of music from Corpus Christi State University.

Riley is the drummer for the Grammy award-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra in New York City. Prior to Vanguard, Riley was doing freelance percussion work, eventually performing with such world-class musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Woody Herman, and many others. Riley also toured with the One O’Clock Lab Band whose album, Lab 76, was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band.”

Riley currently serves on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music, The New School, SUNY Purchase, and is an Artist-in-Residence at the Amsterdam Conservatory in Holland. He earned his master’s of music in jazz studies from Manhattan School of Music and his bachelor’s at the University of North Texas’ College of Music.

The event is planned in conjunction with the Percussive Arts Society.

All are welcome to attend. The fee is $5, which will cover the clinics and all performances. Door prizes will be given away.

For more information, please contact Dr. Andy Harnsberger at [email protected].