The Drumset And Percussion Camp, part of the Goucher Summer Arts Institute is held annually during July at Goucher College in Towson, MD, a suburb of Baltimore.

Clips from Final Camp Concert, 2008

Students 13-18 years old with at least one year of school band or private lesson experience are welcome.

Our focus for 2009 is on performance. Ensemble offerings included Jazz and Contemporary Music Combos, Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Band, Introductory Drumline, Dance Accompaniment, and more!

Such a wide range of performance opportunities within a single camp is rare and is made possible through the integration of the other camps of the Institute: Jazz Camp, Computer Music Camp, and Dance Camp. Campers also enjoy a wide variety of Clinics, Masterclasses, Workshops, and Private Lessons presented by the experienced and nurturing faculty.

In addition, campers experience Wes Crawford’s interactive "A Rhythmic Murder Mystery" show and Introductory Computer Music classes. Frequent evening concerts provided the chance to take in professional performances by faculty and guest groups.

On the final day, campers present a music concert for the public while performing in numerous ensembles.

The 2009 Drumset and Percussion Camp faculty includes:

Laura Cerulli- disappear fear band, MD/DE Percussive Arts Society Secretary

Wes Crawford - Camp Director, Goucher College faculty, Shahin & Sepehr band, MD/DE Percussive Arts Society Vice-President.

Jerome Herskovitz- Goucher College faculty, Peabody Institute faculty, former Alvin Ailey Dance Company accompanist.

Dr. Michelle Humphreys - Shepherd University faculty, Baltimore Opera Company, BSO Education Consultant, MD/DE Percussive Arts Society President.

Keith Larsen- Maryland Drum Company

John Locke- Goucher faculty, Peabody Institute faculty, Baltimore School of the Arts, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Marshall Maley - VA/DC Percussion Arts Society Chapter President, noted teacher.

Joe McCarthy - The Grammy-winning drummer from Afro Bop Alliance

Mike Miller- Old Mill High School Steel Drum Band Director, Rock Creek Steel Drums owner.

Tobias Ralph - Drummer's Collective, Defunkt band

Brett Ripley- Colonial Heights HS Drumline Coordinator.

N. Scott Robinson - Towson University faculty, Goucher College faculty, performed and recorded with Benny Carter, Glen Velez, Paul Winter Consort, et al.

Rajna Swaminathan - young mrudangam virtuoso, playing in the South Indian style

Scott Tiemann- MyDrumLesson.com; Indie-Rock expert.

Dr. Max Vanderbeek- Centennial High School
 

Another unique aspect of the camp consists of a Music Business class. Each camper receives a downloadable recording of their performances as well.

Campers stay in dorms on the Goucher College campus or commute daily.

Thanks to the following sponsors and friends for their support of the 2008 Camp: Aquarian, Charlie St. Cer-Paul’s Brother Entertainment, Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center, Cooperman Drums, disappear fear, Dream Cymbals, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Innovative Percussion, Keith Larsen and Larsen Sound Group, Latin Percussion, Locke Percussion, Maley's McLean Music, Mapex Drums, Maryland Drum Company, Mountain Rythym, Music And Games 4 U, MyDrumLesson.com, Pearl Drums, Phatfoot, ProLogix Percussion, ProMark, Sabian, Trueline Drumsticks, Vic Firth, Wright Hand Drums, and Zildjian.

For more information about the Drumset And Percussion Camp, contact Wes Crawford at 301-275-4675 or wesdrummer@msn.com. For questions about the Goucher Summer Arts Institute in general or regarding staying on campus, contact Linda Garofalo (Institute Director) at 410-337-6493 or linda.garofalo@goucher.edu.

Download your application formf here.


Visit Wes on The DrumNetwork: This is a fun and educational MySpace type site for drummers, run by Poogie Bellf

 

Drumset and percussion camp fun"Thanks, Wes! What a treat! We can't wait until next year! Thanks for making this such a wonderful experience for all of the percussionists. The camp exceeded our expectations by far, and we had very high expectations!"
Sue C. (Silver Spring, MD)

 

Drumset and Percussion Camp fun"I can't wait for this year's Drum Camp. It was the time of my life last year and I can't stop thinking about it!"
A Happy Camper (Maryland)

 

Drumset and percussion camp revels"Thank you for the wonderful experience [my son] had at Drum and Percussion Camp this summer. It gave him the opportunity to play in a variety of ways with different groups. He learned new instruments and gained a broader knowledge of music history. He was able to use the experience he had with drums and grow with this program. The exposure to the talented instructors and all they offered made this camp an experience that {my son} would like to participate in next year."
- Monica G. (Silver Spring, MD)

 

"I had a lot of fun at the Goucher Drumset [and Percussion] Camp and I really learned a lot. I wanted to thank you for helping me so much over just two weeks that my entire style of drumming changed…you said the camp would be even better next year and I can't believe it. We had such great teachers and clinics that I don't know how much better it could really be…paradiddles are awesome."
A Happy Camper (Alexandria, VA)

 

"I just wanted to say thanks again for all of your hard work and enthusiasm these last two weeks at camp. You put together an amazing program with a phenomenal faculty that offered so much of their knowledge and personal experience to the students. Last night's concert was awesome and each kid had a chance to shine. [My son] had a great two weeks and was introduced to many new techniques and ideas he could incorporate into his own repertoire. Thanks again for providing such a great opportunity for [my son]."
- Debbie F. (Baltimore, MD)

 

"Speaking as a professional drummer, sending my daughter to the Goucher Summer Arts Institute was a serious and much needed boost to her self-esteem. It's now going on week three since she left the Drumset And Percussion Camp and she is still talking about her experience and what she learned. Considering the students she continues to talk to, drummers as well as dancers, I feel she has made contacts that she will take into her adult playing career. As for the staff, they are the who's who in the drumming community; you can't get any better than that. As a parent, without reservation, I highly recommend the Goucher Summer Arts Institute…The best part of the event for me was the concert these students put on at the end…breathtaking!"
- Bobby J. (Elkton, MD)

 

"I cannot begin to tell you the powerful impact this experience has had on [my son] both socially and artistically. He continues to talk about it!...Many thanks for the thoroughness of your communications with us and for providing [my son] with the excellent experience."
- Nancy N. (Silver Spring, MD)