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Welcome to the world of percussion! As the oldest of all instrumental families, percussion has "rocked" through the ages! Percussion excites and invigorates all who experience its power and complexity. Unveiling the complexities, while having fun, is what we do best at Indian Hill. We accept students of all ages and abilities and are proud to offer a well-rounded staff including professional jazz, classical, and world percussion teachers. click the name to get more info Abe Finch B.M., University of Massachusetts; M.M., New England Conservatory. Principal teachers: Jeffrey Fischer, Fred Buda, and Will Hudgins. Mr. Finch teaches percussion and percussion ensemble at many schools in Middlesex County, including Salem State, North Reading High, and Acton-Boxborough. Professionally, he has played with the Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble, Revels, Speakeasy Stage Company, Cape Cod Academy of Performing Arts, and a host of others. Mr. Finch has been a featured soloist at both the New England Conservatory and the University of Massachusetts and coordinated the percussion section for the Revels production of "Noah's Flood". David Hurst B.M., Berklee College of Music; additional studies at Dekalb College. Mr. Hurst performs throughout New England with musicians from Berklee College and New England Conservatory. A faculty member at Middlesex School, Sudbury Music Center, Robinson Music Company and American School of Music, he teaches all styles of contemporary music (rock, fusion, R&B, jazz, Latin American). Takaaki Masuko New England Conservatory graduate studies in Contemporary Improvisation, BM in performance at Osaka University of the Arts, Japan. Additional studies in Arabic percussion, West African drumming and dancing, Japanese Noh drumming including informal studies in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Venequelan, Columbian, Balkan, and Irish percussion techniques and styles. Twenty-two years of teaching experience and twenty-six years of performance, accompanist, improviser, collaborative arranger/composer in genres ranging from orchestral, jass, free improvisation, folk music from around the world. Over 50 recording credits for major and independent labels. << back to intro

Abe Finch - percussion, early childhood, Percussion Department Chair David Hurst - percussion Takaaki Masuko - percussion

The Percussion Department offers instruction on drum set, hand drums, world percussion, marimba, jazz vibes, timpani, and glockenspiel (bell set) to aid in school band program preparation. The youngest students will enjoy our group class "Rhythm Club," a foot-stomping alternative to private lessons. Advanced students will find an opportunity to hone their skills for competitions and college auditions. Adult students may choose to learn about swing, blues, rock-and-roll, or Middle-Eastern hand drumming. Our teachers are committed to success for the individual student, while teaching them how to play with others through a nurturing and open environment.

The Percussion Department is closely tied to the guitar, bass, and jazz departments. Through collaboration, students will experience small ensemble playing, jamming, and improvising. Opportunities abound to play in the ensembles at Indian Hill, and the Percussion Department is highly active in the school's community. We hope students will join us to "experience, then learn." (Carl Orff)