Episode 31. Section Percussionist

This episode examines the attributes and practices that contribute to professional success. Moderated by Raynor Carroll, former Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the conversation features Ricky Burkhead, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Mississippi, and Don Parker, Chair and Professor of Music at Georgia College and State University. Drawing from the perspectives of students, educators, performers, and administrators, the panel identifies enduring habits and qualities essential to advancement. Topics include navigating success and failure, mentors, articulating and pursuing a vision, cultivating professional relationships, prioritization, multitasking, boundary setting, proactive engagement, organizational strategies, time management, avoiding shortcuts, elevating standards, persistence, and additional principles. This podcast is brought to you by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit dedicated to guiding the next wave of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

In this episode, we bring together the voices of our ABOP protégés from across the country—students, graduates, and emerging professionals—to share their experiences in pursuing a career as a Black orchestral percussionist. Our protégés speak candidly about the highs and lows of this path. You’ll hear Jakalin Bryant discuss the steep costs and joyful rewards of mastering multiple percussion instruments; Torrance Buntyn Jr. reflect on the thrill of performing timeless works and the hurdles of competitive auditions; and London Johnson unpack the realities of representation and the drive to prove one’s place on and off stage. Donielle Woodard, Alexa Clawson, and Ashlee Dudley invite us into their worlds, balancing practice schedules, networking, burnout, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field; while Milik Green and Sean Edwards remind us of the importance of resilience, self-worth, and finding joy in sharing music with others. Together, they create a vibrant portrait of the modern Black percussionist’s experience. This podcast is brought to you by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit dedicated to guiding the next wave of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

This episode features a variety of artists in the music industry, offering their thoughts, advice, or stories to the new generations of musicians. The artists include Joe W. Moore III, Craig Paré, Quintin Mallette, Paul Tracey, Don Johns, Pedro Fernandez, Camille Delaney-McNeil, Delton Davis, Mark Converse, Ricky Micou, and Christopher Thompson. Swing by our website (www.abop.us) and check out the Program Notes for more info on the artists (www.abop.us/abop-podcasts/). This podcast is brought to you by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit dedicated to guiding the next wave of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

Raynor Carroll and Damion Frigillana dive into the world of timpani maintenance, sharing insights and tips for both students and seasoned pros. We’ll explore everything from tuning gadgets and mallets to mutes, stools, keys, and even drum manufacturers and sizes. We’ll also touch on bowls, heads, pedals, gauges, counter-hoops, tension rods, struts, spiders, casters, protection, transport, and those pesky buzzes, rattles, and other annoying sounds. Don’t forget to swing by the website (www.abop.us) and check out the Program Notes for this episode for even more helpful info (https://abop.us/abop-podcasts/). This podcast is brought to you by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit dedicated to guiding the next wave of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

After completing the annual ABOP-in-LA intensive, ABOP’s protégés review the activities that took place during the intensive. Led by Raynor Carroll, the discussion with the protégés included Jakalin Bryant, Torrance Buntyn Jr., Alexa Clawson, Ashlee Dudley, Milik Green, and London Johnson. Activities for the week included workshops on Score Study, Changing and Clearing a Timpani Head, Mallet Selection, and a unique session devoted to Conductors. Master classes included Bach on Marimba led by Wesley Sumpter, and The Tambourine led by Torrell Moss. In addition, all of the protégés participated in a mock audition, rehearsals, and a final performance with the joint forces of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and the Loyola Law School Orchestra. Maestros Charles Dickerson and Simona Grossi led the tutti ensemble with works by Nokuri, Dvorák, Beethoven, Respighi, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Kodály, Britten, Schuman, Elgar, and Tchaikovsky. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

In celebration of Black Music Month, four Black musicians share their unique musical journeys and offer insights into key inspirational experiences that were impactful in their careers and lives. Guests include Paul Philbert, Principal Timpani, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa, Canada; Robin Ross, freelance violist, composer, and arranger; Todd Cochran, pianist, composer, electronic musician, and conceptual artist; Charles Dickerson, music director, conductor, composer, and arranger.

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a discussion with ABOP protégés Jakalin Bryant and Torrance Buntyn Jr. The discussion includes their experiences before and during their protégé status in ABOP’s Mentorship Program. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads a discussion along with ABOP mentors Terry McKinney, Principal Percussion, Baton Rouge Symphony, and Torrell Moss, Principal Percussion, Ashland and Mansfield Symphonies, on the expectations and responsibilities of a section percussionist in a symphony orchestra. The discussion includes musicality, logistical considerations, personality, questions by ABOP protégés, and more. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, facilitates a discussion with a panel of Black, female percussionists. The panel includes Alexa Clawson, a Master’s student at the University of California, Los Angeles; Ashlee Dudley, Principal Percussionist of the Durham Symphony Orchestra; Marcia McCants, Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Virginia State University; and Donielle Woodard, a Sophomore at Southern Methodist University. The discussion explores the challenges faced by Black women in a field traditionally dominated by White men. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads a Q&A session with a panel of professional percussionists. Topics include: percussion as your passion, number of sticks and mallets owned, misconceptions, ensemble preference, superstitions, conductors, composers, favorites, instrument collections, and more. Raynor also does a “quick fire” session with each panelist on personal preferences. The panelists include Ricky Burkhead, percussion instructor at Ole Miss University; Teddy Hall Jr., Atlanta freelance percussionist; Terry McKinney, Principal Percussion, Baton Rouge Symphony; and Wesley Sumpter, Assistant Principal Percussion, LA Phil. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us