The Mike Rolle Band - Feedback Regarding the 2003 KoSA International Percussion Festival and Workshops

--- 2003 KoSA International Percussion Festival and Workshops ---
Held August 4 - 10, 2003
Castleton State College
Castleton, Vermont

The following comments are taken directly from my submission of two forms that all participants of this workshop are asked to fill out. The forms consist of a testimonial and an evaluation sheet. If you are interested in finding out more about the KoSA Workshops, click KoSA to visit the website or contact me directly. I'd be happy to talk to you about this in detail. John.

TESTIMONIAL

Please write a testimonial of your experience at the
KOSA INTERNATIONAL PERCUSSION WORKSHOP

Name: John DiCenso
Address: This was my first KoSA workshop and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a group of people that were brought together by a love of music and drumming; a faculty willing and able to share, teach, inspire, and encourage; and a group of participants, diverse in age, experience, and background, willing and able to participate and be tremendously supportive of each other. Aldo and Jolan, my first KoSA workshop was a wonderful and enriching experience. I took away many things that I can apply to my playing and to my life. Thanks for creating a workshop where such a thing can happen.

KOSA INTERNATIONAL PERCUSSION WORKSHOP EVALUATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. How did you hear about this workshop?

I heard about this workshop through my Dad, Dick DiCenso. My Dad has had several students attend past workshops and did so again this year.

2. What or who inspired you to attend?

Dave DiCenso, with whom I had discussed other similar type workshops, encouraged me to attend KoSA believing I would very much enjoy the atmosphere and venue as well as learn a lot about music and drumming.

3. Which artist attracted you most to the workshop?

I was not really pulled to the event due to any specific artist. I had swapped an email with Aldo about the workshop and his words of encouragement probably had the most influence in solidifying my decision to attend.

4. What did you enjoy most about this workshop?

It's very hard to pick just one thing; however, I would have to say my time with (playing, listening, talking, observing) Oscar Stagnaro and Rafael Alcala. I learned a lot from them…but as I said, it's hard to pick just one thing as I enjoyed the whole experience very much.

5. What did you enjoy least about this workshop?

The weather made it pretty uncomfortable at times; however, in the end, it had little negative impact on my experience.

6. What did you think about the choice of location for such an event?

Fine, though I have to say, KoSA Cuba sounds very appealing.

7. Would you consider attending this workshop again?

Yes.

8. Who would you like to see at the next KoSA Internaional Percussion Workshop?

Dave DiCenso. I understand that because he's my brother this may come across as a bit biased; however, I don't have my brother hat on at the moment and as a musician and drummer, I would love to see Dave DiCenso at the next KoSA International Percussion Workshop. Just this past weekend he came out to Terre Haute Indiana and gave a drum clinic that was fantastic on many fronts. The name of the clinic was "Exploring the Inner and Outer Game of Drumming". As impressive as his playing is, his philosophies and concepts around the inner and outer game were even more inspiring. I think Dave would be perfect for KoSA. Now, as his brother, I know he likes to keep his Summers, particularly August, freer than other months; however, maybe you can talk him into it or maybe he'd be a good faculty candidate for KoSA Cuba. If you're interested, check out www.themikerolleband.com/DrumClinicRecap.html for a recap of Dave's most recent drum clinic or www.davedicenso.com for more on Dave.

This being said, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Louis Bellson, Greg Bissonette, and Steve Smith would all be great choices as well!

9. Please comment on your experience in general and feel free to offer any suggestions to improve the next KoSA experience…

This was my first KoSA workshop and I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was a group of people that were brought together by a love of music and drumming; a faculty willing and able to share, teach, inspire, and encourage; and a group of participants, diverse in age, experience, and background, willing and able to participate and be tremendously supportive of each other. There was a lot to be impressed with and moved by; however, what follows is what sticks out in my mind:

The young adults that attended. They were creative, willing and wanting to learn, and respectful of and supportive to each other, all attendees, and the faculty. Examples of this for me included the cookout they initiated, organized, and ran on behalf of the faculty; their fantastic participation in the Participant's Concert -- great demonstration of initiative, talent, teamwork, creativity, originality, etc.; their unabashed support and encouragement for Dave (I don't remember his last name) who played Herbie Hancock's Camelion, and, despite some obvious physical challenges, just played great and brought the house down. The young adults were the first ones on their feet. Just a great bunch of kids;

The consistency and content of what the faculty taught. It wasn't about chops or being a star or being a drum animal. It was about the music, listening to each other, blending, connecting. The faculty really walked this talk and the performances, master classes, and breakout sessions I enjoyed the most were those where these aspects were very aparent in the artistry being presented and the content being taught. Examples of this for me included: The Repercussion master class down at the Chapel; John Riley's performance with Oscar and Rafael; the time Oscar and Rafael spent helping the performers in the Participant Concert prepare; Gordon Gotlieb's drum circle; Mario DeCiutiis's special presentation after lunch where he played beautifully and helped me be less resistant to technology in music, realizing it still takes someone who can bring their spirit to their playing that makes the difference; and there were others;

Kevan McKenzie's sharing of his near-death experience and Dave Samuels "Musician with a capital M" presentation;

Many great performances from the faculty each night....Will Calhoun, Bobby Sinabria and company, John Riley and company, Glen Veldez and his wife, to name a few;

The exposure to so many different things that I hadn't been exposed to before….Cuban drumming, Taiko, MIDI, Mexican drumming, etc;

The opportunity to sit and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the faculty. I had some wonderful conversations during these times, a highlight being a one-on-one conversation with Jim Chapin.

The only thing I can suggest that I think would be an improvement would be more opportunity to play with, and listen to, other non-percussion musicians in a teaching setting (i.e. not a performance or concert type setting). Money being no object, it would be great to have a Cuban band, Brazilian band, Funk band, Jazz band, Rock band, going on all day each day with a faculty member facilitating and/or performing where the participants could sit in or just listen and faculty would facilitate feedback, apply concepts in a live situaton, etc. I realize this would be difficult; however, maybe a modified version of this is possible.

Aldo and Jolan, my first KoSA workshop was a wonderful and enriching experience. I took away many things that I can apply to my playing and to my life. Thanks for creating a workshop where such a thing can happen.

Very sincerely, John DiCenso.