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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October 28th Assignments
Hi everybody, sorry I didn’t get to posting real assignments this week, just take a look here for the stuff that we’ll be going over tomorrow!
Ella
Recommended Practice Time: 30mins
What to practice: Take a look at the Lesson 7 Reading here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1firIXZ547MrxH0ia5UoTjsqMXXzV1s4k/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: We will look over the reading and go through it with the feet as well. Also be ready with some new songs that you want to learn and we’ll go over a new coordination/stick control exercise.
Jonah
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: This week Jonah we are going to be working through Lesson 5 here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fjP57IAe-Ymn7m0k6gbsVCOTJuC7v8b-/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Keep challenging yourself to go through the process, count it out loud and then play it as accurately as you can!
Samson
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: This week Samson we’re looking at Crab Rave 2.0: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftUXzChBoqx5DEHxrzhVO7its0877-TL/view?usp=sharing
And starting to take a look at Lesson 5 here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d1T07FxGGiJY5NP3UgXountyzWcs-YFW/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Be ready to play along with the track, we’ll go over the changes in the part and then see if we can get you grooving along. Our focus for the next bit is going to be getting a good handle on time and groove.
Sylvie
Recommended practice time: 30mins
What to practice: This week Sylvie we are going to take a look at Lesson 7 Reading and the beats on the second half of the second page: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ftXqa6lMhwDpCdQk2PAPfBg62cLradir/view?usp=sharing
How to practice effectively: Don’t worry about getting it perfect, we will work on it together going through the process of counting and adding some feet coordination as well. We may also start a new stick control warm up exercise and think about some songs to work on!
Paulina
This week Paulina your assignment was to find some time to get some more sleep and listen to the album Permanent Waves by Rush which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXPYMcRIi2fGOpLgAdEI6HsM41Ic-hEYO
On Wednesday we’ll be talking about some drumming basics and get into playing some!
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.
