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 1st Assignments
Lucas
How many minutes to practice: 15-30mins a day
What to practice: This week Lucas I want you to keep working on the beginning beat to Back in Black. Here is the UPDATED TRANSCRIPTION
How to practice effectively: Here is the link to my video to help: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QvqQnDLBEEbmT5PpdQBIdVcixSIZ0CcI/view?usp=sharing
Start by playing the normal beat a few times. Then try the fill without the bass drum. Then add in the bass drum. Then add the crash at the end and practice re-starting the beat. It may be tricky but I know that you can do it! This week focus on getting the fill connected with the rest of the beat.
Jonah
How many minutes to practice: 30mins a day
What to practice: This week Jonah I want you to continue working on Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin. Heres a video of someone playing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXKGPa1CW5Y&ab_channel=MaximiliamAndersson. Also try getting the fill we worked on tonight a little bit quicker, here is the music for that.
How to practice effectively: For this song, try to catch the drum beat by ear. It doesn’t change to much in the beginning but its a powerful groove that takes a lot of energy! For the fill, focus on doing it slowly at first and making sure all the notes are even, then try doing it faster while still keeping everything even and in time.
Awesome job jumping into this today!
Samson
How many minutes to practice: 30 mins a day
What to practice: This week Samson I want you to work on the Lesson 11 beats
How to practice effectively: These beats will really help develop some new skills and open up your vocabulary. I know you’re busy right now but just take a little bit of time this week to try and go through a couple of these beats slowly.
Great seeing you today, good luck with your projects this month!
Sam
How many minutes to practice: 30 mins a day
What to practice: This week Sam focus on getting through to the last section of Heart Don’t Stand a Chance from the Anderson .Paak Tiny Desk concert.
How to practice effectively: I think you’re at a good place with this song. Just keep going through that middle bit and learning how much time is in between the spaces. For that tricky fill we covered today, try working out you bass drum foot with these beats: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GDjDb81HaLkwICOl6s-v0VX_ShO2q3j7/view?usp=sharing
Have fun at prom pt. 2 this weekend!!
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.
