Hosting Clinics, Master Classes, and Concerts

Information about hosting Clinics, Master Classes, and Concerts with Dr. Stuart Marrs
Dr. Marrs endorses the following fine percussion manufacturers who may be able to assist and facilitate his appearance at your event:

Contact Stuart Marrs to arrange a clinic, concert, or master class at your event or institution.
Clinics

Dr. Marrs offers outstanding clinics for a wide range of percussion audiences. Below is a sample of typical clinic topics. The depth of coverage for each topic and additional topics will be customized to fit your needs.

Timpani:

  • Special focus on Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliott Carter
  • General technique
  • Tuning and pedaling
  • Adjusting the instruments
  • Repertoire

Auxiliary percussion:

  • Cymbals
  • Triangle
  • Tambourine
  • Bass drum

Snare drum:

  • Grip
  • Technique
  • Rudiments
  • Adjusting the instrument

Music Educators All-State Festivals:

  • Refresher percussion clinics for music teachers and directors
  • Question and Answer sessions where educators bring in their percussion issues
  • What to listen for and how to respond to the percussion section
  • Evaluating equipment: what does your program need?

Master Classes

Perhaps the most useful format for conveying the information at a level customized for the student audience is via the master class. Here Dr. Marrs critiques performance on concert percussion (timpani, keyboard percussion, snare drum, multiple percussion) in any of the following areas for the benefit of the student performer and the audience:

  • Solo literature:
    • Special focus on Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliott Carter
  • Repertoire
  • Technical studies
  • Audition repertoire

Percussion Ensemble: working with your group

Over 30 years conducting percussion ensembles has given Dr. Stuart Marrs profound insight into the genre. Under his baton, the percussion ensemble becomes not only a vehicle for musical expression but also a valuable instrument for percussion instruction and a means of musical fulfillment for the players.

Concerts

Dr. Stuart Marrs regularly performs with several chamber music ensembles which are available for concerts either in conjunction with, or independent from clinics and master classes.

  • Dr. Stuart Marrs: soloist with orchestra or percussion ensemble accompaniment
  • Marrs/Downing Duo: flute and percussion
  • Cadenzato: University of Maine faculty chamber ensemble