Episodes

In this episode, we bring together the voices of our ABOP protégés from across the country—students, graduates, and emerging professionals—to share their experiences in pursuing a career as a Black orchestral percussionist. Our protégés speak candidly about the highs and lows of this path. You’ll hear Jakalin Bryant discuss the steep costs and joyful rewards of mastering multiple percussion instruments; Torrance Buntyn Jr. reflect on the thrill of performing timeless works and the hurdles of com...

This episode features a variety of artists in the music industry, offering their thoughts, advice, or stories to the new generations of musicians. The artists include Joe W. Moore III, Craig Paré, Quintin Mallette, Paul Tracey, Don Johns, Pedro Fernandez, Camille Delaney-McNeil, Delton Davis, Mark Converse, Ricky Micou, and Christopher Thompson. Swing by our website (www.abop.us) and check out the Program Notes for more info on the artists (www.abop.us/abop-podcasts/). This podcast is brought to...

Raynor Carroll and Damion Frigillana dive into the world of timpani maintenance, sharing insights and tips for both students and seasoned pros. We’ll explore everything from tuning gadgets and mallets to mutes, stools, keys, and even drum manufacturers and sizes. We’ll also touch on bowls, heads, pedals, gauges, counter-hoops, tension rods, struts, spiders, casters, protection, transport, and those pesky buzzes, rattles, and other annoying sounds. Don’t forget to swing by the website (www.abop.u...

After completing the annual ABOP-in-LA intensive, ABOP’s protégés review the activities that took place during the intensive. Led by Raynor Carroll, the discussion with the protégés included Jakalin Bryant, Torrance Buntyn Jr., Alexa Clawson, Ashlee Dudley, Milik Green, and London Johnson. Activities for the week included workshops on Score Study, Changing and Clearing a Timpani Head, Mallet Selection, and a unique session devoted to Conductors. Master classes included Bach on Marimba led by Wes...

In celebration of Black Music Month, four Black musicians share their unique musical journeys and offer insights into key inspirational experiences that were impactful in their careers and lives. Guests include Paul Philbert, Principal Timpani, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ottawa, Canada; Robin Ross, freelance violist, composer, and arranger; Todd Cochran, pianist, composer, electronic musician, and conceptual artist; Charles Dickerson, music director, conductor, composer, and arranger.

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a discussion with ABOP protégés Jakalin Bryant and Torrance Buntyn Jr. The discussion includes their experiences before and during their protégé status in ABOP’s Mentorship Program. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads a discussion along with ABOP mentors Terry McKinney, Principal Percussion, Baton Rouge Symphony, and Torrell Moss, Principal Percussion, Ashland and Mansfield Symphonies, on the expectations and responsibilities of a section percussionist in a symphony orchestra. The discussion includes musicality, logistical considerations, personality, questions by ABOP protégés, and more. This podcast is produced by the A...

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, facilitates a discussion with a panel of Black, female percussionists. The panel includes Alexa Clawson, a Master’s student at the University of California, Los Angeles; Ashlee Dudley, Principal Percussionist of the Durham Symphony Orchestra; Marcia McCants, Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Virginia State University; and Donielle Woodard, a Sophomore at Southern Methodist University. The discussion explores the ...

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads a Q&A session with a panel of professional percussionists. Topics include: percussion as your passion, number of sticks and mallets owned, misconceptions, ensemble preference, superstitions, conductors, composers, favorites, instrument collections, and more. Raynor also does a “quick fire” session with each panelist on personal preferences. The panelists include Ricky Burkhead, percussion instructor at Ole M...

Raynor Carroll, a retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Damion Frigillana, a Los Angeles freelance percussionist and percussion technician, discuss the maintenance of orchestral percussion instruments. They share their expertise on how to maintain instruments and equipment to optimize the quality of sound. Equipment includes: Snare Drum, Tom-toms, Bass Drum, Timpani, Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Chimes, Triangle, Cymbals, Tambourine, Tam-tam, Bon...

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a conversation with Andrés Pichardo-Rosenthal, the newly appointed Section Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During this interview, Andrés discusses his twelve years as Assistant Principal Percussionist with the Detroit Symphony, auditions he has taken, his preparation, the LA Phil audition, his family, and more. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists ...

In an exclusive interview, Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, engages in a conversation with Wesley Sumpter, the newly appointed Assistant Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During this interview, Wesley provides valuable insights into his audition process, preparation, personal background, and his approach to performing with a symphony orchestra. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (A...

Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, offers insights into his duties and responsibilities as principal percussionist for 33 years under four different music Directors: Carlo Maria Giulini, Andre Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel. Topics include: Creating a Legacy, Being a Liaison, Duties and Responsibilities, and more. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that ...

Host Raynor Carroll delves into the remarkable journey of Don Parker, who has ascended to the esteemed position of Chair of the Department of Music at Georgia College State University. Throughout the conversation, Parker shares his experiences, emphasizing the importance of organization and his involvement in various musical endeavors. He discusses his time performing with the Fayetteville Symphony, teaching at Fayetteville University, and collaborating with his wife in the musical duo Double Ta...

This episode features Raynor Carroll, the retired Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, presenting excerpts from rarely performed classical works that deserve greater exposure. Composers represented include Bach, Walton, Bartók, Varèse, Berlioz, Stravinsky, Bernstein, Sibelius, Boulez, Revueltas, Britten, Chavez, Prokofiev, Copland, Mozart, Elgar, McPhee, Hindemith, and Khachaturian.

Hosted by Raynor Carroll, this episode features Ricky Burkhead, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Mississippi. Together, they explore Burkhead’s journey in percussion and discuss the essential skills required for a successful career in this field. Topics include fundamentals, developing different styles, listening and imitating, drumbeats every drummer should know, GET PAID, reading and interpreting, recording and gear, hand percussion, teaching, and more...

Hosted by Raynor Carroll, this episode features a discussion on preparing a college percussion audition. Guests include Ricky Burkhead, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies, University of Mississippi; Terry McKinney, Principal Percussion, Baton Rogue Symphony; Don Parker, Chair and Professor of Music, Georgia College and State University; and Wesley Sumpter, former LA Phil Percussion Fellow, and currently a freelance artist. Topics include: when to begin preparations, criteria i...

This episode centers on audition preparation. Hosted by Raynor Carroll, the former Principal Percussionist of the LA Phil, the episode features specific recommendations and suggestions directed at orchestral percussionists auditioning for symphony orchestras. The program notes, available on ABOP’s website, lists standard repertoire required on orchestra auditions for timpani and percussion, an outline of Mr. Carroll’s recommendations, and additional information. This podcast is produced by the A...

This episode centers on the LA Phil Resident Fellows Program. Hosted by Raynor Carroll, the former Principal Percussionist of the LA Phil, the episode features John Lofton, the current bass trombonist with the orchestra and the Musician Representative for the Resident Fellows Program. Together, they delve into the Program, covering its origins, eligibility criteria, audition process, benefits, achievements, and its evolution over the years. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orche...

This episode, hosted by ABOP Founder Raynor Carroll, along with ABOP Mentor Terry McKinney, focuses on acquiring concert percussion instruments: where to start; how to prioritize; purchase, rent, or borrow; keeping an inventory; etc. Topics include: Top 6-7 most important instruments, timpani, drums, cymbals and tam-tams, keyboards, accessories, Latin, and miscellaneous. This podcast is produced by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit organization that focu...

This episode, hosted by Raynor Carroll, Founder and CEO of ABOP, focuses on key elements in transitioning from a student to professional life. Guests in this episode include Ricky Burkhead, Terry McKinney, Joseph Mitchell, and Don Parker. Topics include: Self assessment, reality and responsibility, collaboration, teamwork, problem solving, discipline, participation award, practice log or journal, balancing work and life, short- and long-term goals, priorities, procrastination, humility, and ment...

This episode, hosted by Raynor Carroll, Founder and CEO of ABOP, showcases narratives set in the everyday life of a symphony orchestra, as seen through the eyes of the percussionists. The guests feature ABOP Founders: Douglas Cardwell, who previously served as the timpanist for the New Mexico Philharmonic, and Michael Crusoe, a former timpanist with the Seattle Symphony. Tales include: MTT vs The Helicopters, Maestro lost his toupee, Timpani that rolls on its own, Having dinner during an opera p...

This episode, hosted by ABOP Founder & CEO, Raynor Carroll, features interviews from the floor of the exhibit hall of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). PASIC is held annually and presented by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). PAS is a nonprofit music-service organization whose mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world. Interviews include: ABOP Protégés, Founder (Joshua Jones), Advisors (Ricky Burkhead, Chris Hart, Ch...

This episode, presented by former Principal Percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Raynor Carroll, offers insight and suggestions on being creative when performing a wide variety of standard orchestral literature. Repertoire includes: Rhapsody in Blue, Shostakovich Symphony No. 10, Trepak from the Nutcracker, Petrouchka, Abduction from the Seraglio, Scheherazade, Mahler Symphony No. 1, Ein Heldenleben, Dvorak Symphony No. 9, Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome, The Firebird, Enigma Va...