Hello CIPA Members!

I'm very proud to announce our 2010 preseason training. This year we are focusing this training on YOU - the instructors and designers that make our circuit so special. Ian Grom from California will be joining us on December 5th at Dorman HS in Spartanburg, SC. Ian is extremely accomplished in our activity, and his credits include Chino Hills (3rd - PSW), Pacifica (1st - PSO), Fountain Valley (4th - PSO), Los Alimitos (1st - PSA), and Pulse (4th - PIW) - and that's just in 2009! Ian has been (and continues to be) very successful in many different classes, and I think this knowledge specifically of A and Open class design and instruction will make his clinic invaluable to our circuit. Ian's plans at this time include 3 different sessions:

1. General show design, the creative process, show layout/outlining, key elements to a successful show, etc. Geared more towards A class but equally applicable to all classes. Then get into very specific A class design elements. How to create effect in an A class environment. Basic skills doesn't mean boring etc. Discussion of A class skill sets and achievement levels.

2. Composing/Arranging/Orchestrating for the indoor percussion ensemble.  It is such a unique beast in the available mix of instruments and timbres, there is a boatload to cover here. I can make this an A class focus and show some of my "tricks" I've used over the years that can be used in a variety of situations.

3. Developing the SOUND of your ensemble and all the things to consider in shaping that sound. This would entail a lot of electronics stuff. I'd probably bring some stuff with me to help demo. This is a huge deficit in most people's teaching vocabulary so I think if people saw how easy all this actually was they'd be more inclined to start using advanced technology in their ensembles. 

I hope you can sense my personal excitement over this clinic. This is a rare opportunity that I hope NONE of you will miss! If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.

Thanks!
Jonathan Duke
CIPA Percussion Administrator
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When:     Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Time:       1:00pm - 5:00pm
Where:     Dorman High School Bandroom,
                5900 HWY 221
                Roebuck, SC 29376

About Ian Grom:
Ian Grom is a performer, composer and educator based out of Southern California. He received his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from California State University, Long Beach, where he specialized in drum set, marimba and composition.  Some of his recent performance highlights include numerous prime-time live appearances on the hit CBS show Survivor, opening for Aerosmith with Canadian artist Christa Borden, and playing on the soundtrack to the box office smash The Grudge.
As a front ensemble specialist and caption head, Ian maintains an extremely intensive teaching schedule at Pacifica, Los Alamitos, and Chino Hills high schools. All of his indoor percussion ensembles have had great success both locally and nationally. Ian started at Pacifica in 2005 taking their first Open class medal, as they went on to be the four time back to back WGI PSO Champion from 2006-2009. In the fall of 2005 he started building the Los Alamitos percussion program becoming the 2007 WGI PSA Bronze medalist and the 2009 WGI PSA Gold medalist. He has been the front ensemble specialist/arranger for Chino hills high school since the winter of 2007 taking the group to 6th place in their first trip to championships in World class in 2008 and then becoming the WGI World class Bronze medalist in 2009. He worked at Fountain Valley H.S. from the fall of 2006 until the winter of 2009, where they won the 4A WBA championships & Percussion sweepstakes for 2007, the WGI PSO bronze medal for 2008 and finishing up with the fourth place spot in WGI open class finals in 2009.
He was also the front ensemble arranger/composer for the Pulse Percussion PIW ensemble in the winter of 2008 and then became more involved as a teacher in 2009 taking 4th overall in Independent world class at WGI, the group's highest placement to date. In the summer of 2009 Ian was brought on as the electronic consultant/arranger with the world famous Cadets drum and Bugle corps.
After being encouraged to venture into writing for winds, he now designs and composes the fall productions for multiple high schools in the Southern California area. Ian's use of 100% original music, cutting edge technology, and innovative show concepts have made him one of the most sought-after composers in the Southern California marching scene.  Along with fellow designer and instructor John Mapes, he co-founded box-six.com in August of 2008, which is the exclusive seller of their original indoor and marching band shows.
Ian is a member of the Vic Firth Educational team, a WGI Percussion Advisory Board member and is a volunteer for the Southern California Percussion Alliance circuit. He is a proud endorser of Vic Firth, Yamaha, Remo and Zildjian products.
You can email Ian Grom at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it