Kevin von Kampen and the USF Percussion Ensemble
Kevin von Kampen is a percussionist and educator based in Tampa, FL. He is currently on the head of percussion studies at the University of South Florida, and is a board member and percussionist for the Tampa-based new music organization, Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP). Kevin holds a DMA Percussion Performance from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music. He proudly endorses Ludwig/Musser instruments, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Zildjian Cymbals.
The USF percussion program is designed to provide a well-rounded and balanced curriculum with many performance opportunities including solo, percussion ensemble, steel band, jazz, marching arts, bands, orchestra, wind ensembles, and new developing musical styles. In addition to classical percussion study, students receive secondary lessons in drumset as well as Latin, Indian, and African percussion. Percussion faculty includes Kevin von Kampen, Marcelina Suchocka, Patrick Hernly, and Dave Rudolph.
The USF percussion program is designed to provide a well-rounded and balanced curriculum with many performance opportunities including solo, percussion ensemble, steel band, jazz, marching arts, bands, orchestra, wind ensembles, and new developing musical styles. In addition to classical percussion study, students receive secondary lessons in drumset as well as Latin, Indian, and African percussion. Percussion faculty includes Kevin von Kampen, Marcelina Suchocka, Patrick Hernly, and Dave Rudolph.
“POPET” (2018) – Carl Schimmel
Session Description:
In POPET for Percussion Quartet (2019), Carl Schimmel explored the concept of one performer’s movements triggering sounds made by another, creating a puppet show-like effect. His goal was to blur the lines between agency and control, where the performer seen moving appears manipulated while another produces the sound. To enhance this ambiguity, Schimmel set the text in Middle English—familiar enough to catch fragments of meaning but distant enough to obscure full understanding—shifting the audience’s focus to sound and theatricality over story.
The story goes:
On the night of the blood moon, in the north of England a thousand years ago, a puppet master’s magical powers are turned against him and he falls under the control of his three creations.
The story goes:
On the night of the blood moon, in the north of England a thousand years ago, a puppet master’s magical powers are turned against him and he falls under the control of his three creations.
- New Music/Research
Date:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM
Location:
Room 120
Session Type:
New Music/Research Presents
Session Format:
Live
