Endorser & Educator News

John Tafoya Masterclass!
Grover-endorser Professor John Tafoya presented a timpani masterclass at Northwestern University!

Dave Danford set for RNCM showcase!
On Sunday 3rd February 2008 Grover endorsee Dave Danford will be appearing at the internationally attended annual Day of Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. Dave's involvement in the event takes the form of an hour long session dedicated to commissioning and arranging new music for solo percussion. The session will be primarily performance-based and include the first performances of two new commissions. The first of these is a three movement work for marimba and piano by Welsh composer Gareth Wood. The other is a soprano saxophone and marimba duet called Maximon from established English composer Andrew Keeling. Completing the programme will be the premiere of Dave's arrangement of Vaughan Williams' Concerto Accademico which will be performed with the RNCM String Orchestra. Other artists appearing on the day include Anthony Kerr (jazz vibraphone), Paul Patrick (percussion ensemble) and Nick Petrella (cymbals). The event will culminate in a concert from the popular Backbeat Percussion Quartet. Dave has been a Grover Pro Percussion endorsee since 2005 and continues to use a range of Grover tambourines, triangles and wood blocks in all of his performances.

SONG OF NORWAY
On Sunday May 29th, our President & Founder, Neil Grover, was an invited guest percussionist with the Bergen Philharmonic (Norway). Principal Percussionist, Peter Kates, invited Neil and other percussion luminaries to Bergen for a 3 day percussion festival. In addition to Neil's performing with the orchestra (seen here playing tambourine at a youth concert performance), Neil presented masterclasses in both Bergen and also Stockholm, Sweden.

FEELING BLUE!
This year Boston's gigantic July 4th Boston Pops concert featured a work for "Blue Men" and orchestra. Pictured above is the world famous BLUE MAN GROUP surrounded by Pops percussionists: Neil Grover, Pat Hollenbeck, Jim Gwin, Richard Flanagan and Dean Anderson. (photo by Stu Rosner)

On The Road With Broadway's Lion King

LA based percussionist Pete Korpela stopped by the factory to pick out some HSH™ triangles. Each one of these fine hammered triangles has very individual characteristics (that's why we serial number them), "Your instruments are amazing! I am using a Silver/Bronze tambourine and a combination of 6" hammered and 5" bronze triangles. Even our sound guy came to me and commented how great my instruments sound...!! Aw, thanks Pete !

Peter Erskine Uses Grover Heat Treated Silver Tambourine

Legendary percussionist Peter Erskine recently contacted Grover Pro seeking just the right sound color for a project with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (the piece "Blood on the Floor" was composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage). He was gracious enough to provide a sound clip, which enabled us to listen to in our offices. We recommended T2/HTC "Heat-Treated Copper" tambourine. Peter is happy to report that not only was the concert was a terrific success, but that, " The Copper Dry tambourine is perfect!"

Kentucky All-State Chooses Grover

Grover Pro products were used exclusively by the 2006 Kentucky All-State Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra at the KMEA All-State Conference, held February 8-11 in Louisville, KY. With a new audition format for the final round of auditioning, all percussionists performed their accessory excerpts (cymbals, triangle, and tambourine) on the same gear. The KY Chapter, PAS All-State committee instituted this procedure this year to ‘level the playing field’ in the audition process, as well as put the highest quality gear in the hands of the state’s finest percussionists. During the All-State Conference, Grover Pro Percussion products were again used exclusively, allowing the students the opportunity to further familiarize themselves with world class percussion instruments.

On Tour With The US Air Force Band of the West

The USAF Band of the West, located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, is a musical organization with an outstanding record of achievement. It has been acclaimed as "great family entertainment and a most versatile group" winning the hearts of millions of music lovers throughout the United States and Mexico. The Concert Band travels more than 10,000 miles annually performing more than 50 concerts on military bases and media-sponsored tours all over Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Louisiana. .Pictured L-R: SrA Robert Browning, A1C Brian Johnson, and Grover Educational Endorser TSgt Jim Bartelt

"Band Of Liberty" Percussionists Visit Grover Factory

We recently received a visit from members of the U.S. Air Force Band "Band of Liberty" percussion section. The band is stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, MA. The guys were treated to a special factory tour and then had the opportunity to "dig through" or large inventory of triangles, tambourines, mallets and percussion accessories. Pictured L-R: SMSgt Stanley Holland, SSgt Bennett Weidemann, SrA Andy Tucker and A1C Mike Correa

Neil Grover Visits Purdue

Neil Grover recently presented a percussion accessories clinic at Purdue University. Invited by Assistant DIrector of Bands, Pamela Naves, Neil shared his knowledge acquired from 29 years of professional experience with some of the world's top performing ensembles. At the conclusion of his presentation, Neil was asked to sign the drum head of the world's largest bass drum. Neil's presentation was co-sponsored by ZIldjian. Rumor has it that Zildjian is working on cymbals to match the enormous drum!

Kentucky All-State Chooses Grover !

Grover Pro products were used exclusively by the 2006 Kentucky All-State Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Orchestra at the KMEA All-State Conference, held February 8-11 in Louisville, KY. With a new audition format for the final round of auditioning, all percussionists performed their accessory excerpts (cymbals, triangle, and tambourine) on the same gear. The KY Chapter, PAS All-State committee instituted this procedure this year to ‘level the playing field’ in the audition process, as well as put the highest quality gear in the hands of the state’s finest percussionists. During the All-State Conference, Grover Pro Percussion products were again used exclusively, allowing the students the opportunity to further familiarize themselves with world class percussion instruments.

Pro Series Endorsers / Educators

Airto (World Famous Percussionist)
Keith Aleo (Boston Conservatory)
Jose Alicea (Puerto Rico Symphony, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music)
Dean Anderson (Berklee College of Music)
Fernando Arias (Orquesta Sinfónica Ciudad de Oviedo-Spain)
Kenny Aronoff (Studio, formerly John Mellancamp and Smashing Pumpkins)
John Baldwin (Boise State University)
James Bartelt (Air Force Band of the West)
Robert Bonora (Las Vegas Philharmonic/College of Southern Nevada)
Dean Borghesani (Timpanist-Milwaukee Symphony)
Patrick Bowen ("Mamma Mia" / Las Vegas Academy)
Vanessa Brown ("Dancing With The Stars")
Michael Burritt (Solo Marimbist, Northwestern University)
Clyde Campbell (Multi-percussion)
James Campbell (University of Kentucky)
CAIXI TRIO
Jack Cenna (Independent - Las Vegas)
Judy Chilnick (L.A. Studio, The Henry Mancini Institute)
David Collier (Bands of America, Illinois State University)
Mike Crusoe (Seattle Symphony)
James Dallas (Naples Philharmonic)
Dave Danford (UK Soloist)
Rick Dimond (Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Henderson State University)
Frank Epstein (Boston Symphony)
Peter Erskine (Independent, formerly Diana Krall and Weather Report)
Alan Estes (L.A. Studio)
David Eyler(Concordia College)
Michael Faue (L.A. Session, Barry Manilow)
Gary Fink (NJ City University)
Ron Fink (retired- North Texas State University)
Jeff Fischer (New Hampshire Symphony, University of Massachusetts)
Raymond Froehlich (San Francisco Symphony)
Neal Flum (University of Alabama)
Lui Gang (China National Orchestra)
Daniella Ganeva (International Soloist)
Luis Garay (Percussion World Ensemble)
Tom Gauger (retired - Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Tim Genis (Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston University)
Evelyn Glennie (world premier Percussion Soloist)
Beth Gottlieb (Gottlieb Duo, Rollins College)
Danny Gottlieb (studio, Gottlieb Duo)
Gordon Gottleib (Paul Simon, NY Philharmonic,Studio)
Kenneth Green (Northwestern State University)
Bill Hanley (Vermont Symphony, University of Massachusetts)
Cliff Hardison (Richmond Symphony)
James B. Harrison (Boise State University)
Stan Head (Lindenwood Percussion Studio)
Scott Herring (University of South Carolina)
Rick Holmes (Solo Timpanist, St. Louis Symphony)
Murray Houllif (Noted Composer, The Atlantic Winds Symphony)
Will Hudgins (Boston Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory)
Michelle Humphreys (Shepherd University, Baltimore Opera)
Leon Jacobson (Solo Timpanist, Buenos Aires Opera)
Keith Killgo (solo vibes)
Alan Kinsey (Cape May Fesitival, South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble)
Craig Krampf (Nashville Studio, Melissa Ethridge)
Professor Johnny Lee Lane (formerly Eastern Illinois University; Director of Education Remo, Inc.)
Mark Latimer (Principal percussionist, "The President's Own" US Marine Band)
Charles Law (Arkansas Symphony Orchestra)
Mark Marchant (Mercyhurst College)
Stuart Marrs (University of Maine)
Fernando Meza (University of Minnesota)
Jody Linscott (David Gilmour, Elton John, The Who, Dido)
Robert McCormick (University of South Florida)
Jon Metzger (Jon Metzger Quartet, Elon University)
Voyce McGinley III (L.A. studio, author)
Dan Moore (University of Iowa)
Paralelo 33 (international percussion group)
John Parks (Florida State University)
Susan Powell (Ohio State University)
Don Perlman (Westchester Percussion Center)
Mitchell Peters (Los Angeles Philharmonic, author)
Vicki Randall (The Tonight Show Band)
Emil Richards (L.A. Studio, Mr. Percussion)
Paul Ristau (Green Bay Symphony)
Ney Rosauro (University of Miami, international soloist/composer)
Ken Ross (Westchester Broadway Theatre)
Jim Royle (Jim Royle Drum Studio)
Erick Saoud (Arkansas Symphony)
Peter Schmeling (Green Bay Symphony)
Jason Schmidt (North Carolina-based clinician, Bodhisattva Percussion Group)
Jerry Scholl (Wichita Symphony, Tulsa Opera, Wichita State University)
Michael Sgouros (Ethos, Malloy College)
Nigel Shipway (London studio)
Todd Sheehan (Principal Timpanist, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra & Owensboro Symphony
Brian Slawson (Grammy-nominated percussionist)
Christopher Speich (NY session player, Westchester Percussion Center)
Danielle Squyres (LA session player)
Stik Figures (NY percussion quartet)
John Tafoya (principal timpanist, National Symphony Orchestra)
James "Theo" Theobold (Julio Iglesias, Broadway)
Diana Valdez (La Escuela Libre de Musica en San Juan)
Lee Vinson - (Boston Symphony)
Thomas Wetzel (Milwaukee Symphony)
Jerry Williams (L.A. studio percussionist)
Doug Wolf (Utah Symphony)
Shannon Wood (timpanist, Florida Philharmonic)

Performance Series Endorsers

Peter Abdou (Tiffany Shea Band)
Carmine Appice (Rock Session)
Vinny Appice (Rock Session)
Doug Beasley (Brown Leather Symphony)
Jay Bellerose (Paula Cole)
Jimmy Birmingham (The Real Kids)
Scott Breadman (Jose Feliciano, Rippingtons)
Perry Cavari (Broadway drummer)
Dennis Chambers (World-famous drummer)
Bob Cianci (freelance)
Jeff Consi (Nuno Bettencourt)
Ron Enyard (jazz drummer)
Alan Estes (L.A. Studio)
John George (Audible Mainframe)
Tamora Gooding (All the Queen's Men)
Charlie Grover (Paper Street Saints)
Jon Hazilla (Berklee College Of Music, Instructor)
Mark Hylander (Boston Session, Swinging Johnsons)
Taku Hirano (Fleetwood Mac, Dr. Dre, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston)
Brian Joyce (Twytch)
Craig Krampf (Nashville Studio, Melissa Ethridge)
Adolfo "Fofi" Lancha (Sabado Gigante International)
Jody Linscott (David Gilmour, Elton John, The Who, Dido)
Steve Luongo (The Who's John Entwistle)
Anthony Mainiero (Lenore)
Jonathan Mele (freelance)
Nathan Miller (Abatería)
Cheron Moore (Ice T, Snoop Dog)
Joe Morris (Esteban/studio)
Michael Neuble (Gospel Drummer)
Nigel Olsson (Elton John)
Opus (Gargantua Soul)
Brant Parsons
Butch Poe (Roy Clarke)
Marc Poitras (NYC show drummer)
Quinn (composer, recording artist on Orison Records)
Danny Raymond (teacher, clinician)
Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean)
Bobby Rondinelli (Black Sabbath)
Mike Rorick (Waltham)
Craig Sala (Planeside)
Ara Stepanian (Plank 63)
Blake Theisen (Baghdad Jones)
James "Theo" Theobold (Julio Iglesias, Broadway)
Ed Toth (Vertical Horizon)
Scottie Thomas (Shine)
Wally Usiatynski (Hairspray)
Pete Walters (Cheap Date)
Mark Wanner (session drummer)
Jim Watson (L.A. studio)
Al Webster (Long John Baldry, Amanda Marshall)
Frank Williams (Michael Thomas Quintet)
Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, Frankie Valle)