On the 16th, 17th and 18th of October Pro-Mark educational artist, Dirkjan van Groningen, was invited to direct workshops and conduct clinics for two Italian Marching Bands located in the North of Italy near the border of Switzerland. The first workshop was at the Mosson Band http://www.mosson.org in Mosson di Cogollo del Cengio and the second workshop at the Cultural Organization Rocky Rock http://www.rockyrock.it in Cembra.

Because Marching Percussion and Marching Band are a relatively new phenomenon, Dirkjan stressed the importance of fundamentals like basic technique, exercises, tuning and appropriate implementation. The members of both bands were enthusiastic about the workshops and have invited Dirkjan back for more fun in 2010.

Pro-Mark, Majestic Europe Percussion Instruments and Roland Italy all provided support for Drikjan during his Italian clinic tour.

A little more about Dirkjan van Groningen…

Percussionist Dirkjan van Groningen came in touch with (marching) percussion at A.M.D.G. from Kampen and Show & Marching Band Blue & White Stars form Nijverdal. Afterwards he started playing at Avant Courir Drum & Bugle Corps from Baarn. In 1993 he joined Dutch Boy Drum & Bugle Corps from Canada to compete in the American Drum & Bugle Corps competition. In the same year he started studying at the conservatory in Zwolle where he studied percussion with Peter Prommel, Jan Wissink and Peter Berk. In 1995 he taught at and played in Beatrix’ Drum & Bugle Corps from Hilversum. In 1998 he earned his degree in Classical Percussion. One year later he also graduated in Jazz and Pop Music. At this moment Dirkjan is teaching percussion at the Muzisch Centrum in Emmeloord, The CMH Percussion Ensemble from Hattem. As a drummer he is active is several (occasional) bands and the soul/funk/disco/pop band The Groove Movement. Dirkjan is the founder and president of Show & Marching Music. In that function he wrote music for, and teached at, a lot of different European (marching) bands and (indoor) percussion ensembles. Dirkjan is sponsored by Roland Central Europe, Pro Mark Drumsticks and Majestic Marching Percussion.