Newsletter
Who are you Sam Glasson?
Drum Kit teacher Sam Glasson tells us of his love of percussion, his musical family and starting off with knitting needles!
What instrument/s do you teach and how long have you been a member of the BHMA team?
I teach Drum Kit and have been working at the music service for 16 years! Wow it's gone quick!
Can you tell us about your first musical memory?
Getting my Mum's knitting needles and using them as drumsticks on buckets turned upside down! Not very musical though I suppose.
When did you first take up a musical instrument and what attracted you to music?
I first had percussion lessons at the age of 7 and coming from a musical family (my dad a pianist and my sister a multi-instrumentalist) I was always encouraged to do music.
What was your first album purchase/first gig?
My first gig I played was when i was at primary school (St Lukes) in a school assembly with my sister. We played one of her compositions. I was really nervous. I was aged 7 and we still do the same today! The first gig I went to see was my Dad performing with The Whoopee Band when I was a toddler and I absolutely loved it. The first album I bought was Terence Trent Derby's "Sign your Name".
If you had to choose three records to take any to a desert island what would you choose and why?
I find these questions really hard as I find it impossible to choose. My taste changes all the time. Probably three compilation albums for variety!
What is the most challenging part of your working week and what motivates you when working with young musicians?
Arriving at a school to teach and finding the drum kit has been vandalised and having to rebuild it! A common problem as drum kits tend to get abused. What motivates me is seeing all these young drummers I teach progressing and doing gigs and playing in bands! It is such an amazing feeling to think you have been a part of their journey!
Could you tell us about one of your recent musical highlights?
My most recent musical highlight was watching the end of term drum kit techniques concerts! The standard of the students playing was incredible and to see the progression in the students playing was such an uplifting experience for me!
What would be your top tip to any aspiring young musician?
Try to be as versatile a performer as you can be and don't turn down any opportunities that you are presented with. Also if you are a drummer it is a really good idea to learn piano too in order to have some knowledge of chords and harmony to help you compose your own music.
Finally, if you were to learn another instrument, what would it be?
I have always wanted to learn electric bass guitar. It is such a funky instrument! Love it.
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Planning for our annual concert at the Brighton Centre is well underway. This year, we'll be featuring some newly composed numbers by pupils at Downs View, Hillside & Downs Park Schools
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The Great Escape, one of Europe's largest festivals for emerging bands, took place recently in Brighton. More than 400 acts performed in Brighton & Hove over 3 days in 35 venues
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Mon 6 and Tues 7 Oct for primary schools at the Brighton Dome studio. For secondary schools performances, visit glyndebourne.com/schools
Drum Kit teacher Sam Glasson tells us of his love of percussion, his musical family and starting off with knitting needles on his mum's bucket
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