Band Holds Clinic for High School Drumlines

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Bret Kuhn instructs students with the support of the Razorback Drumline (top). Alma, McDonald County, Sallisaw and Razorback drumlines with their directors and Kuhn (bottom).

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On Saturday, Oct. 20, the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band hosted three high school drumlines for its first annual Day of Marching Percussion clinic. The workshop featured clinician, arranger and performing artist Bret Kuhn who also worked with the Razorback Drumline on Friday.

"Fans know that our band students perform for thousands of people in and around Razorback Stadium on game day, but a major focus of our band program is to serve as a resource for music education programs in this part of the country,” said Christopher Knighten, associate professor of music and director of university bands.

Drumlines from Alma High School in Alma, Ark., McDonald County High School in Anderson, Mo., and Sallisaw High School in Sallisaw, Okla., attended the four-hour clinic. The event included individual and group drills, demonstrations by Kuhn and the Razorback Drumline and interactive instruction between Kuhn and the students as well as their band directors.

“This clinic allowed us to provide a free educational opportunity for band students from three states with a leading percussion instructor,” said Knighten. “It also gave us the opportunity to host these students, along with their band directors and parents, on campus for a day.”

Kuhn has conducted percussion clinics across the United States, Japan and Europe. He serves as a clinician for Yamaha, Innovative Percussion, Zildjian and Remo. He has also designed and developed two drumsticks.

“We hope that this will be the first of many annual clinics,” said Knighten. “It’s a great opportunity to bring in a leading percussion instructor to work with our students and enhance their education while also introducing future students to the University of Arkansas.”