The Marching Percussion Playbook – How to Unlock Success in Percussion Performance
NEW!
About this Webinar –
How important is it to building a quality marching band to have an outstanding drum line and front ensemble? In this webinar, presenters David England and Shelby Shelton take you step by step process to develop those all-important sections. Covered in the Marching Percussion Playbook:
- Personnel and Roles
- Building a Foundation – Timing and Technique
- Developing a “Sound”
- Instruments/Equipment
- The Front Ensemble Sound System
- Repertoire
- Preparing the repertoire
Our Presenters
Shelby Shelton –
A native of Central Texas, Shelby Shelton is an active performer, composer, and educator living in Virginia. Shelby is pursuing a DMA in percussion performance at James Madison University studying with Casey Cangelosi. She is passionate about all things marching arts and is starting her fifth season coaching the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble. She has instructed many other groups including the Sacramento Mandarins, Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, Music City Drum Corps, Father Ryan High School, and MTSU Band of Blue. Shelby also works with George Mason Indoor percussion and has also been involved with Veritas, Audio Theatre, and Triple Crown percussion. Shelby received a Masters of Music degree in percussion performance and a post- baccalaureate degree in music education from Middle Tennessee State University. She attended Lindenwood University in St.Charles, Missouri for her undergraduate studies where she double majored in percussion performance and English literature. She has performed three seasons as a member of the Tennessee Titans Blue Crew drumline and with the Meraki Fire duo. Shelby currently teaches a private online studio and percussion courses at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. Shelby Shelton is a member of the PAS marching committee and the PAS diversity alliance. Shelby proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Pearl/Adams, and Zildjian cymbals.
David England –
At the time this webinar was recorded, David currently teaches the Blackman Middle School Band in Murfreesboro, TN where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2008 and 2017. He has been teaching middle school band since 1994. He graduated from MTSU where he studied with Lalo Davila. From 1993-2023 he was the percussion arranger, designer and an instructor at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, TN. Father Ryan is a three-time WGI World Champion and has been a perennial WGI Finalist, medalist and fan favorite. The Blackman Middle School Percussion Section has played at TnMEA and TN PAS twice as well as other clinics and festivals. Mr. England is a composer for Row-Loff Productions and an artist with Innovative Percussion and Mapex/Majestic. He is an active clinician having presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, NAfME National Conference, ASBDA Regional conference, TnMEA Conference, TN PAS, and many others. Mr. England is also a very active adjudicator for marching band, indoor drumline and indoor winds traveling to various states and circuits. He is the current vice president of the TN chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. He marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps and was the percussion designer, supervisor and arranger for the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps from Nashville, TN for 2017 and 2018. Mr. England and his wife Jennifer have four children, Breanna, Aaron, Angel and Damien, and two grandchildren, Aliza Dimple and John David.
Watch the Webinar Preview
To gain the most benefit, please follow these suggested steps:
Step One – Download the Note Page
Prepare to either type your notes into the Word.doc or Google Doc and save the changes, or write in your notes by hand into a printed copy.
Step Two – View the Webinar
As you view the webinar, we encourage you to take notes as you go along. Feel free to stop the recording and rewind as needed.
Step Three – Download the Action Plan Template
Choose either format; Word Doc or Google Doc. After considering the key points that you wish to implement, describe the point in the ACTION BOX select a date for the initial implementation. Then, select a date that you plan to review and assess the success of the implementation.
Step Four – 
– for Optional PD Credit
Receive TWO HOURS PD credit for this video. An 80% score or better will result in a Certificate of Completion emailed to the address you provide. Those scoring less than 80% will be allowed to retake the quiz. In order to do so, you’ll need to register in the quiz with an alternate email.
Step Five – Review the Follow-up Links and Materials Below
Contact Our Presenters
The following are found at NPD Webinars:
- Strong Foundations for Building Young Percussionists – with John Hearnes and David England
- Tips for a Successful Marching Band – with Barry Houser, Yamaha Master Educator
- How to Perform Sustained Tones on Percussion Instruments – by Michael Faris
- Taking the Mystery Out of Interpreting Drum Charts – with Kevin Gianino
- Incorporating Latin Percussion into Your Jazz Program – with Matthew Henry
The following are from The Nottelmann Blog:
- Exploring Front Ensemble Tech with Chad Kohler – Curated from J.W. Pepper
- The Drum Corps Experience Podcast – with Innovator Bob Morrison
- Case Study: Shifting a Program’s Culture – Curated from the Yamaha Educator Suite – by Christine Ngeo Katzman
- 10 Tips to Start a Middle School Drumline – Curated from The Yamaha Blog – by Troy C. Wallwage
- Case Study: Cle Elum-Roslyn is a Small District with a Big Sound – Curated from The Yamaha Educator Suite – by Savy Leiser
David’s England’s Handy Handouts
Cleaning 101 – “Tips for cleaning your marching percussion section”
Drumline Like The Pros! – A building blocks checklist for creating a great marching percussion ensemble
Metronome Tips – Tips for optimizing results with teaching students with the metronome
Technique Basics
Join the Facebook Group – Percussion Solutions for Band Directors