Get ready for an electrifying day dedicated to the art of percussion.
Whether professional, student, educator, hobbyist or enthusiast, this event is for you!
Immerse yourself in a range of hands-on masterclasses, workshops, and performances. This is your chance to connect with fellow percussion enthusiasts, expand your skills, and fuel your passion for percussion. Guest appearances from some of Australia’s finest performers, pedagogues, and instrument makers.
From 9am to 4.30pm, our schedule will be packed with a variety of sessions you can move between at your leisure. An instrument display room will be open when you need a break!
At 5pm (free entry), we honour Barry Quinn (1936-2025) with a ‘Celebration of Life in Music’ featuring a special performance from an enormous percussion ensemble made up of alumni, students, and members of our community.
At the end of the day, we invite our masterclass participants to perform alongside our presenters in a 7.30pm Gala Concert featuring performances from our artists, along with some additional surprises!
Please contact us if you have any questions: pas-australia@unimelb.edu.au
Schedule:
9:00 am to 4:30 pm - All day events
5:00 pm To 6:00 pm - Barry Quinn: Celebration of Life in Music
7:30 PM To 9:00 pm - Gala concert
Presenter schedule:
DAVID JONES:
Percussaganza
Join master drummer David Jones for a performance and ensemble masterclass, including rehearsal for an opportunity to perform David’s latest piece in concert.
Sponsored by Just Percussion
NICK PARNELL:
Making your vibes playing sound great!
In this presentation, we delve into different technical approaches players can use to bring out the beauty and excitement of the vibraphone. Covering advance performance techniques from mallet dampening, pedalling, sticking choices and much more.
Sponsored by Ludwig Musser
ALEX PERTOUT:
An Introduction to Afro-Latin American rhythms and styles
Presenting a rhythmic exploration of how a fundamental 6/8 pattern, born in Africa, has connected and shaped identities across Latin America. This pulse is the very heartbeat of a vast musical diaspora, the foundation upon which African rhythms rebuilt themselves and continue their pathway across Latin America.
JOHN RECTHER:
Rare instruments, Rarely tuned
Join Australian master craftsman and instrument tuner extraordinaire John Rechter in our Deagan display room, where you can try out a range of his rare instruments. Listen to John discuss some of the finer points of tuning keyboard instruments, and fascinating insights into the history of some of the world’s rarest and most beautiful instruments. Deagan instruments are often referred to as the Stradivari of percussion.
DR. ANN SHOEBRIDGE & BRENT MILLER:
Unlocking your percussion superpower
Musicians health specialist Dr. Ann Shoebridge (Alexander Technique and Physiotherapy) joins Brent Miller to present a dynamic approach to technique, helping you unlock your full potential.
BRENT MILLER:
The freelance survival toolkit
In this session, learn some valuable care and maintenance tips that can help you in a pinch, with a focus on timpani.
DR. DERYN GRIFFITHS, SARAH STANCOMBE, LUKA SOSTARKO, LAURA DALE:
Melbourne Bellringers
In this session, four of Victoria's tower bell ringers will discuss the music of ringing the changes. The traditional art of English Change Ringing began in the early 1600s and is still practised around the world today by people of all ages. From the patterns, to how we represent these on a page, and even the physics involved - the ringers explain what it's like to ring today, and the musicality of this ancient art.
LAMINE SONKO:
Music and Ritual of the Guewel: Exploring an Ancient Metaphysical Knowledge System Through Practice-Based Research
The Senegalese Guewel is both messenger and mediator, linking past and present, ancestral wisdom and modern understanding. As keepers of an ancient metaphysical knowledge system, Guewels guide individuals and communities through life’s cycles, from birth to death, using ritual, rhythm, music, song, and dance. This lecture explores Guewel practices as a mode of transmitting metaphysical knowledge, grounded in Guewel epistemology and practice-based methods such as music composition, live rhythm performance, visual art, and film. Through these creative works, knowledge is not only studied but embodied and actualised, offering rhythmic pathways to alternative ways of knowing that challenge colonial frameworks and affirm self-determined, holistic traditions. www.1312.com.au
ROBERT COSSOM:
Magic metals
Join Robert Cossom, percussionist extraordinaire of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, for a masterclass session focusing on all things metal – cymbals, triangles, vibraphones, flexatones.
Click here for more information on our artist line-up.
GALA CONCERT:
Featuring performances from all our artists, PLUS:
- ANAM Percussion Department, directed by Peter Neville
- Monash Percussion Studio, directed by Louise Devenish
- MYRIAD (the Percussion Ensemble of the Melbourne Conservatorium, directed by Brent Miller)
- Mega Ensemble performing new works by David Jones
The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring, educating, and supporting percussionists and drummers worldwide. Based in the USA, PAS has nearly 6,000 members, with chapters in all 50 states and an additional 25 international chapters, including Australia. The current interim President and Vice-President of the Australia chapter are David Kemp and Brent Miller.