Cavaliers Bass Line, Wharton to be Featured at PASIC 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS) - The Cavaliers are proud to be a featured artist and clinician at PASIC, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, to be held in Indianapolis, Ind., November 14-17, 2018.
The clinic session on Friday, November 16 will feature Battery Coordinator Russell Wharton, with an exclusive performance by The Cavaliers’ 2018 Bass Line.
“PASIC is one of the largest percussion events in the world, and I’m honored The Cavaliers have another opportunity to showcase our educational philosophy and pedagogy in front of our percussion peers and colleagues, students, and conference attendees,” said Chris Lugo, Executive Director of The Cavaliers.
“Our approach to and writing for the bass drum section is unique,” added Lugo. “We’re inviting all PASIC attendees to check out The Cavaliers' 2018 bass line, Russell Wharton, and educators Kyle Miller and Frank Connelly as they present a live learning session unpacking our methodologies. You won’t want to miss it!"
The Cavaliers last participated as a featured artist and clinician at PASIC in 2013, an effort that included an exhibition performance at the Bands of America Grand Nationals event that year.
“I could not be more excited to get the 2018 Bass Line back together for PASIC,” said Russell Wharton, Battery Coordinator for The Cavaliers. “This group of members and staff is truly special, and we're excited to share The Cavaliers’ educational philosophy with the audience at PASIC.”
In addition to the PASIC clinic on November 16, The Cavaliers will be running two additional clinics in the area at Center Grove High School on November 14 and Indiana University on November 15.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
CENTER GROVE HIGH SCHOOL CLINIC
Location: Center Grove High School- 2717 S Morgantown Rd, Greenwood, IN 46143
Date: November 14, 2018
Time: 5-6:00 PM EST
Admission: Free and open to the public (No Registration Required)
Enter near door 11 off of Stones Crossing road. Follow the signs to the drum room.
IU MARCHING HUNDRED CLINIC
Location: Indiana University
Date: November 15, 2018
Time: 7-8:00 PM EST
Admission: Free and open to the public (No Registration Required)
Park in the Orange Lot to the east of Assembly Hall. Cramer Hall is just across the street to the south. Follow the signs to the drum room.
PASIC 2018: EDUCATIONAL CLINIC AND PERFORMANCE
Location: Indiana Convention Center
Date: November 16, 2018
Time: 12-1:00 PM EST
Admission: Must attend PASIC convention to view
Wharton will be joined by Cavaliers Percussion educational staff members Kyle Miller and Frank Connelly to host the PASIC clinic.
“Kyle and Frank were both new to the team in 2018, but in a lot of ways it feels like we've been working together for years,” added Wharton.
“While we have many similarities in background and approach, each us brings something different to the table, giving the members a well-rounded experience throughout the summer. I'm honored to share the stage at PASIC with these gifted and passionate educators."
Can’t make it to PASIC18? Subscribe to PAS (Percussive Arts Society) today to get full access to the clinics, concerts, master classes, and more!
About Russell Wharton
Russell Wharton is a percussion educator, performer, composer, and arranger living in Bloomington, Indiana. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Russell’s time with The Cavaliers organization began with Green Thunder in the winter of 2008. He then marched with the drum corps as a bass drummer from 2008-2012, serving as the Drum Sergeant in 2012 and helping the 2011 percussion section capture the Fred Sanford High Percussion award. 2019 will be Russell’s fifth year on staff with The Cavaliers. He has also been involved with the Boston Crusaders, Cavaliers Indoor Percussion, Monarch Independent, and numerous high school programs.
Russell recently finished his Master of Music degree in Percussion at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied a diverse array of musical styles, including orchestra, timpani, chamber, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and solo percussion. He served as an Associate Instructor within the percussion department, teaching lessons and the Percussion Methods class. Russell also was active as a composer at IU, and had several pieces premiered by the IU Percussion Ensemble. For the 2018-19 school year, he returned to IU to continue as an Associate Instructor and pursue a Performer’s Diploma.
Prior to his time at IU, Russell lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He attended Texas Christian University from 2008-2013, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education Following graduation, he went to work at Keller High School from 2013-2016 as a percussion instructor while maintaining an active life as a freelance drumset player.
Russell enjoys being involved in many different musical situations at once. He believes in a well-rounded approach to musicianship and finds musical diversity to be a constant source of inspiration and education. As an educator, Russell encourages his students to think critically about the music they are playing, as well as the lessons that the music teaches them. One of Russell’s favorite aspects of the drum corps activity is the personal growth that each player undergoes as they strive to achieve at the absolute peak of their abilities. He feels a passion for learning and self-discovery, and hopes that he can pass that on to his students.
Russell is fortunate to have had many excellent mentors and teachers, including but not limited to: Michael McIntosh, Jim Casella, Jim Ancona, Brian Tinkel, Joe Hobbs, Joe Roach, Ellis Hampton, Drake Melson, Adam Bruce, Jami Fennell, Adam Clay, Aaron Collins, Sean Frittelli, John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Michael Spiro, Steve Houghton, PQ Phan, Aaron Travers, Brian West, Joey Carter, Dave Hall, and Martin Blessinger. Russell is endorsed by Innovative Percussion and Remo Drumheads, and his compositions are published by Tapspace Percussion.
About The Cavaliers
Founded in 1948 from Boy Scout Troop 111, The Cavaliers are one of the most successful drum and bugle corps in history, winning 20 national championships, including seven Drum Corps International world championships since 1992.
The Cavaliers provide a variety of educational and performance programs for young people, including GearWORKS, Cavaliers Indoor Percussion, Chromium Winds, Crystal Lake Thunder, and Midwest Connection. The organization delivers life-changing experiences that go beyond music and performing arts to build personal accountability, excellence, teamwork, and camaraderie.
The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization sponsored by The Village of Rosemont, Illinois.