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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May 25th Assignments
Lucas
How many minutes to practice: 15-30
What to practice: This week Lucas I want you to work on the beginning beat to Back in Black
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!!
Jonah
How many minutes to practice: 30
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
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! We’ll try to get up to the bridge next week!
Awesome job jumping into this today!
Sam
How many minutes to practice: 30
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: Don’t get too down in the weeds with this part of the song. Try to catch the big details and follow those but don’t get too stuck on all of the small things he’s doing. We’ll work on the last section next week.
Have fun at prom 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.
