From The Desk of Rob Slack:
TAPS is an essential part of an Orchestral Percussionists education. It fills a crucial gap between your local college experience and the major music festivals such as Tanglewood and NRO as you prepare for a professional career. TAPS gives the student exposure to new ideas through interaction with both faculty and other students that help to gain important perspective as to how they compare with other students from different backgrounds.
As a student, you will gain from professional level advice and experience which enables you to focus on areas that need improvement. Every aspect of the festival was fantastic to me- outstanding clinics and ensembles and the opportunity to study with some of the best Percussionists in the field. Additionally, everything about the festival was thoroughly professional, from the transportation logistics to dorm and food accommodations. I certainly wish something like TAPS was around when I was a student! Take advantage of it now!
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In TAPS 2015, Rob Slack gave an amazing and very extensive session on many of the aspects required for
playing with an orchestra and the perks of efficient set-up, Cymbals, Tambourine, sight reading, and playing
with the stress of a film orchestra. His knowledge really brought a hands-on real-world experience to the students participating in the small ensemble demo he conducted.
Additionally, Mr. Slack performed various jazz pieces on vibraphone with his ensemble and Ted Atkatz on
drums.
Mr. Slack is a leading Timpanist/Percussionist in the Southern California area and Principal Percussionist of the Pacific Symphony, he has performed with various professional ensembles in the area such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Diego Symphony among many.
you can find more about Mr. Slack on his Website: ocpercussionstudio.com
