M.Mus (UofT) in-progress
B.Mus (Eastman)
Gordon is a percussionist and educator interested in performing, creating, and engaging within a multitude of musical styles, invested in how music might be embodied in a variety of forms through joyful exploration.
From Tampa, Florida, Gordon became acquainted with music through piano lessons, eventually moving on to drum set and marching percussion in high school. In 2019, Gordon completed his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Michael Burritt. At Eastman Gordon performed and premiered works with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Percussion Ensemble, and Musica Nova in addition to serving for two years on the board of the student-led new music ensemble, Ossia.
He is also interested in the intersection between music and technology and has contributed to creative projects with the Eastman Audio Research Studio and the University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble.
Gordon is currently working towards completing his Master’s degree at the University of Toronto under the instruction of Aiyun Huang.
Get to know Gordon…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, watching movies, reading, spending time outside, tossing a frisbee and playing Spikeball
Musical influences: Rush, Mutemath, Max Roach, My Brightest Diamond, Son Lux, Rachel Podger, Michael Burritt, Steve Schick, Paul Rennick, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Jess Ray, Mark Andre…
Favourite food: Kanafeh (Middle-Eastern dessert)
Least favourite food: Brussel sprouts
Favourite music: Rock, Jazz, Contemporary Classical, Indie-folk, Electronic
Favourite song: One favorite is Humble Heart by Jess Ray
Favourite movie: Another favorite is Tree of Life by Terrence Malick
Favourite movie music: Bernard Herman in Vertigo, Ennio Morricone in Once Upon a Time in the West
Favourite musical theatre/opera: Hamilton, Invisible Cities by Christopher Cerrone
Best quote from your teacher: “Listen…”
Favourite quote: Romans 8:37-39
Favourite book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Best thing about teaching at ABC: Sharing music with the students.
Latest Homework from Gordon
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June 9th Assignments
Lucas
Recommended Practice Time: 15-30mins every day
What to practice: This week I want you to focus on practicing the hand exercises for Lesson 4 as well as combining the beats together.
How to practice effectively: For the hand exercises try to start and stop your stokes about 6 inches above the drum and count out loud by saying “R” and “L”. For the beats keep counting out loud like we were doing today and don’t be afraid to do a lot of repetitions, try to see how much you can relax while playing them!
The beats are coming together!!! Really great work Lucas, keep it up!
Ella
Recommended Practice Time: 30mins every day
What to practice: REST!
How to rest effectively: Read a book, walk outside, listen to music, think about what other songs you want to play! Enjoy your free time!
Jonah
Recommended practice time: 30mins every day
What to practice: This week I want you to write in the counts for the Lesson 11 reading in your book and work on the first beats for Starlight.
How to practice effectively: Remember that for Lesson 11, with the tied notes, only the first note is played and the length of the second gets added to the first. For the first half just write 1 2 3 4 over the quarter notes but for the second half write in 1+2+3+4+ for the eighth notes. Then counting and playing it will be a cinch! For Starlight, keep working on the beats and playing with the song! Here is a form chart of the song as well as the recording of the song.
Thanks for your good work today Jonah!
Samson
Recommended practice time: 30mins every day
What to practice: Next week I want to hear you play the single stroke speed exercise and the groove for Rock with You at 115 bpm!
How to practice: Always remember to relax and keep the hands moving! This week I want you to focus on using less arm in your stroke and more wrist. And remember to keep your stick heights lower!! It will help you play so much faster. For the groove start with the hands and then add the bass drum, keep everything relaxed and low and you should be able to maintain the speed of it pretty easily!
The speed is starting to come together! Keep the energy up!
Sylvie
Recommended practice time: 30mins every day
What to practice: This week I want you to play the Reading section from Lesson 10 with your bass drum on every quarter note. In addition I want you to be ready to play through the rock breaks as well!
How to practice effectively: Counting is your friend!! It can be helpful to count the rhythms vocally before playing them and counting while you play is also super helpful. Playing with the metronome will be really helpful with lining up your bass drum since it will be on the same beats. For the rock beats just go slowly and take the time to work out the rhythms as accurately as possible!
Really good work Sylvie! It was also awesome to see your Scratch creation lol
Preferred Books for Gordon’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
STICK CONTROL
George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control is the bible of drumming. In 1993, Modern Drummer magazine named the book one of the top 25 books of all-time. In the words of the author, it is the ideal book for improving: control, speed, flexibility, touch, rhythm, lightness, delicacy, power, endurance, preciseness of execution and muscular coordination, with extra attention given to the development of the weak hand.
Reading, Rudiments, and Rock Drumming
This beginner book contains the basic 3 R’s of drumming-Reading, Rudiments, and Rock, in an easy to learn format.
Intermediate Snare Drum Studies
The Art of Bop Drumming
The definitive book on bop drumming—a style that is both the turning point and the cornerstone of contemporary music’s development. This comprehensive book and audio presentation covers time playing, comping, soloing, brushes, more jazz essentials, and charts in an entertaining mix of text, music, and pertinent quotes.
