Hall of Fame

By Rick Mattingly Peter Erskine once stated that the most vital music is created by musicians who are vital people. “They have something to offer,” he said. “Music is only a reflection. Once you get past the techniques, licks, and whatever, it’s who you are and what you believe in that’s going to come out….

by Lauren Vogel Weiss When asked to describe himself — as a composer, an educator, or a performer — Ney Rosauro immediately responds, “I am a musician. There is music wherever I go. I play all genres of music, from classical to popular. Everything that is music brings me joy.” Even his words are melodic,…

By Rick Mattingly “Arthur Press was in many ways the heartbeat of the Boston Symphony Orchestra percussion section,” recalls Frank Epstein, a longtime percussionist with the BSO. “Always positive, helpful, and supportive of his colleagues, Arthur was the backbone of the section. He was a consummate professional and a gifted percussionist, and his snare drum…

by Rick Mattingly When Peter Erskine was in junior high school, he was taking lessons from Billy Dorn and checking out all of the vibes players of the time, including Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Victor Feldman, Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Gary Burton. “Then I read something in a DownBeat magazine interview with flautist Jeremy…

by Teddy Hall Jr Professor Johnny Lee Lane has distinguished himself as a leader in percussion education and as an astute businessman in the percussion industry. Known by many of his students as “Prof Lane” or by many of his colleagues as “JL,” Lane has impacted many lives. He has served in many roles that…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss In today’s musical world, one can hear marimbas in television commercials, on concert stages, or via streaming services. Marimba players are on football fields during halftime shows and in large arenas playing with rock bands. How did this rosewood keyboard instrument become such a standard part of our percussion family? Look…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss If you were asked to name a famous female drummer, who would she be? Perhaps Cindy Blackman, Terri Lyne Carrington, or Shelia E.? Depending on when you were born, you might mention Karen Carpenter or Hannah Welton. But the real pioneer of female drummers may be Viola Smith. In his letter…

By Russell Hartenberger Over the past four decades, Beverley Johnston has been at the forefront of the artistic development of percussion repertoire and is unparalleled in her contribution to Canadian classical music. She is singularly responsible for commissioning, performing, and/or recording compositions from over sixty Canadian composers. Through her teaching, she has inspired female percussionists…

By Rick Mattingly “Jim Petercsak is a legend as an educator, author, past-president of PAS, conductor, clinician, composer, award winner, and virtuoso player,” says Nexus member Gary Kvistad. “He has played with the best of the best and his students — who must number in the thousands! — hold major positions in orchestras, education, and…

by Lauren Vogel Weiss Active as a percussion arranger, show designer, and drum instructor, Thom Hannum has been involved in six Drum Corps International (DCI) World Class Championship titles, with three different drum and bugle corps, during his four-plus decades in the marching arts activity. Two of those corps also received the Fred Sanford Award…