Kihle-Stories for Snare Drum Volume 2: The United States-SD

,p>This project was born from a love of history and a desire to hear my students play more expressively on snare drum. After having heard students play various types of etudes and concert pieces on snare with little to no expression, I thought there must be a better way. There are plenty of snare books on technique, though learning technique does not necessarily translate to expressive performance. I have worked with many students who do not perform expressively on the snare drum. In fact, I know of some percussionists who do not see the snare drum as an expressive instrument because it doesn't play melody. However, I think the snare drum can be a true indicator of musicianship. If a person can play expressively on an instrument that is not melodic, then they should be able to apply this to a melodic instrument.

Expressive playing means giving direction to the musical line. I thought of Rob Knopper's performances of the Delecluse etudes and the expressiveness with which he plays. There is an intent that permeates the expression and gives life to the music. But how to inspire this in students? I know of many teachers who ask their students to think of a story as a means to express what they are playing. Many times I have asked students to invent a story and express it through their playing. The problem is some students aren't great at creating stories. Even when they are, their story doesn't always align with the etude they are performing. Where could I get stories for snare drum?

My love of history provided an answer. I chose American history, with its diverse people and events, as the focus. The eleven events chosen are both important historical events and ones I felt could be portrayed on snare drum. They are not the most important events in American history, nor should this collection be understood as a "top ten" list of American moments. Such rankings can be determined by historians. Rather, these events are touchstones of American history that neither depict the nation as all glory nor all tragedy. So different etudes may evoke different musical traditions, whether works in memoriam, for tribute, or a requiem. They show the story of a nation with a complex history.

I feel that it is important for students to know about these events and to see music as emotive and connected to a larger context. My hope is that these etudes will provide for greater expression on snare drum and a template for more expressive performance on any instrument.

- Jason Kihle