These Guys Deserve Everything They Get

Heads up!! Developing news regarding the Menomonee Falls Academy of Music store, where my percussion studio is located, will be featured in next month's blog.

Until then, I wanted to share several very cool studio updates with you, including what I've been up to musically!

Jack Perinovic, Brandon Niles, Joe Grizzle and Matthew Kirchburger

Subjects of my blog - students Jack Perinovic, Brandon Niles, Joe Grizzle and Matthew Kirchburger - all auditioned for, and were selected for the Menomonee Falls sixth grade band program.

The percussion section is one of the most desired groups to be a part of. From year to year the number of kids trying out varies, but I'm told it can be well over 40 kids - and only about 10 are picked.

Congratulations Jack, Brandon, Joe and Matthew. You sure worked hard to earn your spots!

Trevor Maliborski

discussed the recent musical successes of Trevor Maliborski. Let's add a few more!

Trevor auditioned for and made the highest band at the Falls' High School; the Wind Symphony. It's rare that a sophomore playing in Concert Band will skip the next highest band, the Symphonic Band, and leap-frog into the Wind Symphony, starting next year. Very nice!

Trevor's been working hard all school year, improving musically in tremendous fashion, and making the Wind Symphony is just a taste of this growth. At the high school's annual Jazz & Java concert held a few weeks ago, Trevor was presented with the Jazz & Java Music Scholarship award, in recognition of his talent, effort, attitude, commitment and responsibility in the Jazz Ensemble for the 2011-12 school year. The award is comprised of a scholarship and a personalized plaque.

Trevor also auditioned for the University of Wisconsin Youth Wind Ensemble recently, and secured a spot in UWAY 1, the highest ensemble.

You're making all the right moves, Trev. Well done, buddy!

Zach Knutson

Student Zach Knutson, , received the Outstanding Musician Award at his eighth grade award ceremony, at Richmond School.

The award is given to students who consistently perform at the highest level, show dedication to their musical development, and are leaders in the ensemble.

In fall 2012, Zach will be in the Symphonic Band and Marching Band at Arrowhead High School.

You always strive to be the best percussionist you can be, Zach. Nice job!

Brady Peotzel

In a , he'd just learned to read drum music from manuscript paper, having graduated from home-made flash cards. Next, Brady was going to play notated drum "fills" inserted into written drum beats. Here's an excerpt:

"It's been fun using this format with Brady. He's been reading and playing the beats I've written for him in his manuscript notebook fairly well, so he'll soon be graduating to placing "fills" (movement around the toms) within the beats. Using the manuscript paper format will sure make this much easier for him to read, and for me to write the fills out for him."

I'm so proud to tell you, Brady's been doing exactly this for the past few months! In fact, if you click on the pictures above and find Brady's, you'll see he's proud too. He's also displaying the very page he'd just worked from, where one can see fills written amongst the beats, on manuscript paper.

Click again on his picture to enlarge it. Look very closely.

Could you play that?

Aaron Fasting

Student Aaron Fasting plays professionally with the Sandcarvers, and I presented a

"The Sandcarvers have been hailed as one of the best Celtic rock bands in the country. The raucous six-piece hits the stage going ninety to the dozen, and their exuberant live show coupled with exhilarating fan interaction earn them rave reviews wherever they perform," The Sandcarvers' website says.

"Combining strong solo voices and vocal harmonies with equally strong instrumental skill, The Sandcarvers write original songs that brilliantly tell stories from real life. They also put a wicked spin on traditional tunes from o’er the Pond, turning them inside-out and upside-down."

The Sandcarvers will be playing Bastille Days, July 12, starting at 5:15 p.m.

Much Americelt Rock mayhem will be on display. Count on it!

The Carvers' complete touring schedule can be found at: www.thesandcarvers.com.

Paul Newlin

Similarly, as in my , former drum student Paul Newlin will again be performing with his group, The Heroes Lie, during Summerfest. They will bring their brand of high-energy radio rock to all who check em' out.

The Heroes Lie will perform on the Summerfest Rock Stage, Friday July 6, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m., opening up for acts Adelitas Way and Art of Dying.

All are excellent musicians and put on a very entertaining show.

If you go see them, I guarantee a great time. But get there early, they usually pack em' in!

More info on The Heroes Lie can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/theheroeslie?ref=ts

Josh Fox

Josh Fox, a former drum student and , is in a band that recently changed their name from Cain and Able, to Narrow Hearts.

Cain and Able had a different sound and had gone through a few member changes, so the band's new lineup - Josh Fox (drums), Josh "Frankie" Falk (bass), Ike Weins, Jared Block (guitars), and Tyler Trokan (vocals) - decided to "reinvent" the band as Narrow Hearts.

Narrow Hearts' new EP, "Strive to Change," will be released on June 12 through iTunes. To support the new tunes, Narrow Hearts will have an EP release show at The Miramar Theatre in Milwaukee, June 16, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

This should be an amazing showcase with incredible energy!

Rob Olson

Rob is the father of student Michael Olson. Michael played a wonderful snare drum duet with me at the last

As Rob has volunteered to join the staff for the next School of Performance concert, I wanted to mention that he and his band, The Screamin' Cucumbers, will be performing on the Summerfest Rock stage June 29, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and at the Wisconsin State Fair on the Tavern On The Green stage August 5, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rob's been so important in the encouragement of Michael's musical growth, that I wanted to send some love back to him and The Cukes, by giving his band a shout-out.

The Cukes' complete touring schedule can be found at: www.screamincucumbers.com.

Please check 'em out at Summerfest and State Fair. You won't be disappointed!

At my recording studio ...

I've been busy recording for two local projects in my recoding studio: Eden Concept, and another group I recently started working with, Rock Berlin.

Rock Berlin is a cover band that has recently started exploring original music. I've been working hard composing drum parts for the new tunes, as well as laying down the recorded drum tracks.

I have nothing to post as of yet, but please watch my future blogs for an update of Rock Berlin's progress.

Eden Concept, however, has just released a new original tune that I'm drumming on. It's a progressive rock tune called, "As In Art." Lyrically, the message is "We can make the world into what we want it to be, by being the kind of people we want in it."

A positive message accompanied with strong musicianship. Great combination!

Local recording artist Rob Wessel, the song's composer, worked extremely hard on the song's production. I hope you slap some headphones on and take it for a ride. I promise, it's pretty cool. And not just because the piece incorporates a gong!

Listen to "As In Art" right here.

At my teaching studio ...

Students may find themselves working on the timpani, preparing a piece for school or an audition. Another may be working on the marimba, studying a four-mallet composition for solo and ensemble competition. Or, one may be prepping a marching band snare drum part for a drum-line.

Students with more experience, or who play professionally, may be focused on more advanced concepts like improving musical vocabulary, hand and foot techniques, or four-way independence on the drum kit. We may even discuss the psychological aspects of performing live music.

A middle-aged drum hobbyist is currently learning to play "Wipe Out" to the recorded music of the Surfaris.

I might be repairing percussion instruments or drum hardware, tuning drums, or customizing a drum rack that holds a drum set - for a student, or someone off the street.

Or maybe you'd find another student is performing hand drums while I lay down a drum set groove. One needs this type of experience to properly mix their hand drum patterns "within" the set player's part - and vice versa. Otherwise, we'd step on each other's "rhythmical toes," and the universe as we know it may implode. Ha!

These styles and levels will be taught - Concert Band, Symphonic, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestral, Marching Band, Hand Drumming.

You'd find beginners, hobbyists and pros, all laboring to achieve their musical goals.

Lastly, , you might find me at the Falls' North Junior High School in the summer - outside of my usual studio location - teaching the incoming sixth grade band participants a six week percussion introductory course.

How to contact me

To inquire about percussion lessons, message me, read up-to-date news or just check out the "happenings" at my studio - please visit my studio's site: https://www.facebook.com/JimKubesPercussionStudio. While there, may I suggest that you click the "like" button? That way, I'll know you've visited.

If you've ever envisioned yourself playing a percussion instrument, I hope you'll contact me. Helping others succeed on their drumming path is my passion. I'd love to work with you -- at any age or level!

On the horizon

Please remember to visit my post in a few weeks for news regarding Menomonee Falls Academy of Music.

Thanks for your time in reading and listening. It's truly appreciated!

Please visit my studio's Facebook page to find other interesting studio information at www.facebook.com/JimKubesPercussionStudio. Hit the "like" button to let me know you've visited. Thanks!

My studio can also be followed on Twitter: @JimKubeDrums.