--- Dave DiCenso Drum Clinic Recap ---
Held September 27, 2003
1:00pm at The Dawg House Pub & Grill
Terre Haute, Indiana
How the Clinic Came to Be:
Back in March of this year, John’s family (Richard and Mary DiCenso, Joseph DiCenso, and Dave and Laurie DiCenso) came to Terre Haute to visit him and his wife Kelly and their two boys, Drew and Deven, for the weekend. The Mike Rolle Band was playing at Ms. Xtreme’s that Friday night and the family came out to hear the band. Dave sat in with the band and just lit up the place. He was simply amazing and, for those of us who were fortunate enough to be there, it was a very special evening.
Well, a group of guys, now known as the Clinic Team, decided they had to find a way to get Dave back to Terre Haute. The members of the Clinic Team are Rob Steidel, Dave Hunt, Larry Williams, Steve Ellis, and John DiCenso. They committed their time, energy, resources, and money to make this happen.
Thanks to the Clinic Team, support from Dave DiCenso’s sponsors, strong ticket sales, and help from family and friends in the Terre Haute community, Dave did in fact come back to Terre Haute and gave us a clinic we will not soon forget, if ever. What follows is a brief recap of another special time in Terre Haute with Dave DiCenso.
Clinic Recap:
Let it be said at the outset, it is impossible to capture in words what was experienced at this clinic. Simply, you had to be there. However, we wanted to put something down in writing to maybe help preserve, in some small way, what truly was a special event.
Thanks and Introductions:
John opened up the clinic by introducing the Clinic Team and thanking them and all those who helped make the clinic possible (see below for details). He then had the honor of introducing Dave DiCenso to the 60 people in attendance. He made note of some of Dave’s impressive resume items including the fact that Dave:
- Has toured and recorded with a long and very diverse list of world-renowned artists including: Duran Duran, Steve Morse, John Petrucci, Cro-Mags, Johnny A, David Fuiczynski, Hiromi, Anthony Jackson, Stu Hamm, and Dave LaRue;
- Has been a featured performer at major percussion industry events including the Montreal Drum Festival, Percussive Arts Society Convention, N.A.M.M., and Music MESA;
- Is sponsored by and has long-standing relationships with the Zildjian Cymbal Co., Vater Percussion, Remo Inc., and Pearl Drums;
- Is an Assistant Professor of Percussion at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA;
- Is a gifted and exciting clinician.
On top of all that, John noted, Dave is one fine human being, someone who has spent much time better understanding himself and his life as well as someone who takes the time and energy to incorporate what he has learned about the “Inner Game” into his artistry and his teaching.
John then said, “It is with great pleasure, excitement, and much anticipation that I introduce to you, Mr. Dave DiCenso”
Dave Says Hello:
Dave said hello and thanked the Clinic Team for all their hard work. He also acknowledged his appreciation for the support he has received, and continues to receive, from his sponsors, Zildjian, Vater, Remo, and Pearl. 
Dave then outlined the clinic which would include: playing to a pre-recorded track; a drum solo; a presentation of his concepts about the Inner and Outer Game of Drumming; a question and answer period, which would likely include some demonstrations; concluding with, time permitting, another drum solo. We assured him there would be ample time for this!
Playing to a Pre-recorded Track Followed by an Astonishing Solo:
Dave played to a track entitled “The Chicken”. He immediately had everyone's attention and throughout the piece there was verbal expressions of amazement and excitement from the audience. 
Dave played with dynamics, musicality, energy, expression, great feel, and with some amazing technique. Upon completing this piece and after speaking briefly to the audience, Dave sat back down and played a fantastic solo. He left no doubt about his ability to capture and excite an audience and about his command of his instrument. It was obvious to all that a world-class musician was performing before us.
The Inner and Outer Game of Drumming:
After a standing ovation, Dave settled down to talk about “The Inner and Outer Game of Drumming”. He began by covering the Outer Game. He discussed in some detail, his 6 steps to developing the Outer Game. These are: 1). Transcription; 2). Breathing; 3). Slowing Down; 4). Voice Articulation; 5). Limb Isolation; and 6). Looping.
Dave did an excellent job covering each of these steps, providing examples and demonstration in order to enhance the audience’s understanding of each of these concepts.
Dave spoke of the Inner Game next. Dave shared some of his personal experiences and struggles and was very giving of himself in sharing parts of his life’s journey to-date. It was here that Dave really exceeded expectations, taking the audience on an unexpected ride and giving us something we could apply to all aspects of our lives. It was a truly remarkable experience. Some of Dave's philosophies of the Inner Game include:
- The marrying of ones heart and soul to the music, to the other members of the band, to the audience;
- The eliminating of intellect and ego in order to create an exceptional environment of creativity;
- The communicating and connecting with others, this being primarily what the art of music is all about;
- The idea that communicating and connecting involves conversations, with oneself (if you are soloing), with other band members, and with the audience.
Again, Dave gave great examples and shared personal experiences to help the audience understand what he was saying.
Questions and Answers:
Dave fielded questions from the audience, and there were many.
There was some great dialogue and Dave was masterful in communicating with the audience, effectively answering all questions through either words, demonstration, or both.
Ending Solo:
Dave concluded the clinic with another great solo that demonstrated his mastery of both the Inner and Outer game and brought his words of wisdom from the speaking portion of the clinic to his artistry. 
He brought the audience to its feet, once again.
Door Prizes:
We concluded the clinic with the giving away of many door prizes. In fact, not one person left without winning something…. a pair of Vater drums sticks, a Zildjian hat or t-shirt, a Pearl banner, etc. Will Cox was the lucky grand-prize-winner. He walked away with a Pearl 13” piccolo snare drum!! Congratulations Will.
Dave hung out for pictures and autographs and to talk to the many folks that wanted just a few more minutes of his time. He was very gracious and stayed until he had spoken to everyone who approached him.
Conculsion:
This was an exceptional event given by an exceptional artist, musician, drummer, clinician, and person. Dave DiCenso left his mark on this community and he will be talked about for some time to come. He gave us much more than we expected. We walked away thrilled, inspired, and with a better understanding of Dave DiCenso...his talent, his artistry, his passions. Maybe we walked away with a little better understanding of ourselves.
Special Thanks:
The Clinic Team:
- To Rob Steidel, Dave Hunt, Larry Williams, Steve Ellis, and John DiCenso, for their time and energy organizing the event, spreading the word, selling tickets, obtaining sponsor support, and committing their own resources and dollars;
- To Pat Sparks and Rob Steidel for providing The Dawg House which served as a wonderful venue for this event. This venue provided a spotlessly clean environment, a stage ready with great lighting, and a setup that maximized the audience’s visual and audio enjoyment;
- To Dave Hunt for his tireless pursuit of the perfect sound. From putting all new heads on the Pearl drums that Dave used, to setting up, testing, and running sound for the clinic. The results could not have been any better. You could clearly hear everything Dave was doing or saying which contributed in a big way to the success of the clinic;
- To Steve Ellis for providing the Pearl Drums Dave used.
Dave’s Sponsors:
- To Vater Percussion for their financial support, clinic material (banner and product literature), and door prizes (35 pairs of beautifully crafted drumsticks!!);
- To the Zildjian Cymbal Co. for their financial support, clinic material (poster and product literature), and door prizes (Zildjian hats, t-shirts, and posters);
- To Remo Inc. for their financial support and for providing all new drum heads for Dave to play on. This was a big help in making the drums sound great;
- To Pearl Drums for their clinic materials and door prize (2 banners and our grand-prize 13” piccolo snare drum!!).
Others:
- To Mike Rolle and Jerome Cheatham for helping to spread the word and for selling tickets;
- To Jimmy Finnie, Associate Professor of Music (Percussion) at Indiana State University, for buying 10 tickets for his students and for helping to spread the word;
- Most importantly, thanks to all of you who attended this event. Whether you came for your interest in learning and growing as musicians or for your appreciation of great talent, thanks for helping to make this clinic something special.
Testimonials:
NOTE: If you are interested in adding a testimonial, please email it to johndicenso@yahoo.com and he will publish it to this page.
As impressed as I was, and as I am, with the drumming I witnessed from Dave DiCenso, I was even more taken with his beliefs and viewpoints related to the philosophical aspects of the Inner self not only as it relates to music but as it relates to all aspects of life. Dave DiCenso has developed a view of life in his 35 years that I have yet to develop in my 45 years. We all learn from our experiences. Many of us learn from lessons taught by others in addition to our own experiences. Together this makes up the essence of our being. Dave DiCenso has contributed the knowledge of his experiences to those of us who had the opportunity to participate in the dialog that was the Dave DiCenso Drum Clinic. I for one would like to thank those people who made this experience possible. And recommend that anyone, who has the opportunity to see Dave DiCenso play or attend one of his clinics, make every effort to do so.
Jim Ellis
The Dave DiCenso drum clinic was an absolutely incredible musical experience. Having heard Dave play before, I knew I would me mesmerized by his talent. I was. I hope I will have the opportunity in the future to hear him again. I will not pass it up. What surprised and delighted me was his philosophy of life which he intertwines into his music. This is not just a theory; he is living proof that music and life can be, and should be lived as one. His clinic would have been wonderful had he just played his drums. However, it became exceptional when he shared with us his personal philosophies and how it marries music and life. Thank you Dave.
Larry Williams
Dave, you truly exceeded my expectations. As much as I always enjoy your playing, and this time was no exception, I was really captivated by your presentation of the Inner and Outer Game…especially the Inner game. The content you’ve developed is in itself terrific; however, you make it come alive via the manner in which you deliver it. You truly are a gifted and exciting clinician and one fine human being who touched every single person that came out to see you today…drummers, non-drummers, adults, and kids. Your willingness and ability to share your life experiences adds an element to your clinic that is surprising, unique, refreshing, and inspiring. Finally, it all seems to come out in your playing which makes it a joy to watch and listen to you. Thanks for making this day a day to remember, a very special day indeed.
John DiCenso
Photos and Video:
Dave then outlined the clinic which would include: playing to a pre-recorded track; a drum solo; a presentation of his concepts about the Inner and Outer Game of Drumming; a question and answer period, which would likely include some demonstrations; concluding with, time permitting, another drum solo. We assured him there would be ample time for this!
Dave played with dynamics, musicality, energy, expression, great feel, and with some amazing technique. Upon completing this piece and after speaking briefly to the audience, Dave sat back down and played a fantastic solo. He left no doubt about his ability to capture and excite an audience and about his command of his instrument. It was obvious to all that a world-class musician was performing before us.
Dave did an excellent job covering each of these steps, providing examples and demonstration in order to enhance the audience’s understanding of each of these concepts.
There was some great dialogue and Dave was masterful in communicating with the audience, effectively answering all questions through either words, demonstration, or both.
He brought the audience to its feet, once again.
