Christopher Hull is a percussionist and ethnomusicologist whose work focuses on tensions between tradition and innovation in contemporary music. As a passionate performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral percussion, he seeks to ground his work in his classical training while simultaneously transcending the conventions of the conservatory. With classical percussion degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University and University of Alaska Fairbanks, a performing arts certificate from the Arts Institute of Indonesia Denpasar, and his current studies in ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto, Christopher’s genre-defying work exhibits a world of experience.
As an orchestral percussionist, he frequently works with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada, the Hamilton and Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestras, and Sinfonia Ancaster. He has appeared as a chamber musician and soloist in festivals such as Open Ears, International Gamelan Festival Munich, Young Artists Niagara, and Sacred Rhythm Jakarta, and can be heard playing drums, vibraphone, and synthesizer on commercial recordings by Call Me Moon and Treephones. He is also Associate Artistic Director of Toronto-based Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan, commissioning and premiering new works for Sundanese degung, and director of the University of Toronto’s Balinese gamelan ensemble, Dharma Santi.
Get to know Chris…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Reading, cycling, and synthesizers
Musical influences: Jojo Mayer, Benny Greb, David Garibaldi, Gary Burton, Tony Miceli, Steve Reich, Glenn Gould, Bill Evans, I Dewa Made
Favourite food: Noodles
Least favourite food: Quiche
Favourite music: R&B, hip-hop, funk; Western modernism and minimalism; Balinese gender wayang; Sundanese degung; Orchestral; beatsce Favourite song:!
Favourite movie: The Departed
Favouirite movie music: Old modern romantic soundtracks (eg. Spellbound)
Favourite musical theatre/opera: West Side Story/Turandot
Best quote from your teacher: “When we perform, we smile. If we make a mistake while performing, we smile bigger.” -Dewa Suparta
Favourite quote: “I’m a man who leaves nothing to chance.” -Maestro Boris Brott
Favourite book: Dance, Dance, Dance by Haruki Murakami
Best thing about teaching at ABC: The lovely students
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Director’s Note: Important Chris Update
Hello Drumming and Percussion Families!
I am writing with a bittersweet bit of news, namely that Chris has proposed to his girlfriend and moving to England to be with her. This is great news, of course, as Chris is a great person in addition to being a great teacher.
Chris will most likely be gone after March. We have been working on some replacements, one for Saturday and one for Tuesday, and we will update you on them as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to call me directly in the office, or text the office number. Chris, I am sure, will also be happy to tell you about the new adventure he is beginning.
-Barnaby
Saturday, May 10
Jack
Great job concentrating and keeping time this class! We created a cool drum pattern to play with Thriller today and we will look to get familiar with the pattern next class!
Nova
We have now fully learnt Cupid and our goal is to record a video next week with myself on accompaniment! If stuck on a tricky rhythm, count out loud and get comfortable with the syncopation!
Aleksander
Great progress on Living on a Prayer! We played through until pre chorus. Practise it under tempo and when you feel more comfortable with the transition, go a little faster and eventually try play it at original speed with the recording.
You also grasp the triplet rhythm nicely, but make sure you play it in time! Give chorus a read, and we will aim to play through that next lesson!
Jonah
The Simpson
The tune is very very tricky and Jonah you did a great job nailing the notes! You also showed great understanding on how to practise tricky licks through repetition and practising step by step BUT you need to have the dedication to do it at home as well! In order to do your best on your performance coming up, try to familiar yourself with many of those licks as possible, and always remember to count!
Jared
Bring Me To Life
Bar 24 and 25 have been your nemesis of late! BUT you are closer than you think! The third and fourth beat of bar 24 and first two beats of bar 25 are super similar, which is the reason why you have been confusing them. Subdivide! Practise the RIGHT pattern, repeat! We will aim to go on next week, and play till bar 45.
Mario
Warm Up with triplet and 16th notes exercise, go for evenness and relaxation!!!
Great great progress on My Friend as we played through first page. We are now at 65 bpm right now and original speed is at 84. When possible practise with metronome at home and crank up the speed when you feel comfortable! We will read through till Guitar Solo next week!
Preferred Books for TCHRNAME Students
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