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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Assignments 10/7/20
Hey guys, really sorry I dropped the ball on posting the assignments this week. You guys sounded great last week and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Excited to work on some new stuff with you guys this week!
Ella
Recommended Practice Time: 30mins
What to practice: This week Ella take a look at the Sticking and Beats page on the google drive here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1alyo2YFt3lUO9pcJ9F7GyGaG9rC-Gs-1/view?usp=sharing). Also go over the reading again and see if you can play through most of Last Kiss!
How to practice effectively: Do the first half of your practicing on the book work and the second half on Last Kiss.
Jonah
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: This week Jonah I want to work on a new sheet with you so take a look and we’ll go over it a little on Wednesday! Here is the link(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1axscYfZanx3aGxGA6RKRLx2zOJofOMOB/view?usp=sharing).
How to practice effectively: Try your best on the sheet, we’ll take some time on it together. No matter what, keep playing and being creative on the drums.
Samson
Recommended practice time: 15mins
What to practice: This week Samson I want you to look at Lesson 4 from a book I think we’ll start working out of. Here is the link(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bMG6Uuvge6fdRX3vR6YuTmcNwfzK2iSe/view?usp=sharing). Also keep working on the chorus beat to Crab Rave, I think you’re really close!
How to practice effectively: Take a look at the counting, sticking, and beat section of the page and take your best stab at it! For the crab rave beat, break down all the different parts the limbs play and build them up again. Don’t forget to be patient with the process!
Sylvie
Recommended practice time: 30mins
What to practice: Try out this new Lesson 6 document! Here we cover some paradiddles which we talked about a little last lesson so just give it your best shot and we’ll go over the whole thing on Wednesday! Here is the link(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bPzC5MdNW4diylXBJjAnjLiST6a-0hpx/view?usp=sharing)
How to practice effectively: Take it slow and see how close you can get on your own! The paradiddle combinations can be tricky so take some time to work them out!
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.
