Bergjord Boarding

Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Indianapolis, Indiana

By: Luke

Seven years ago I had the chance to tag along with my alma matter to attend a percussionist’s paradise. The Percussive Arts Society is a non-profit organization that connects professional percussionists and educators to further the art of hitting things. (I will try to stop saying percussion all the time.) I had only graduated months before this and thought I had missed my chance to go with a group, but I managed to join if I helped with the driving.

My former percussion professor, Dr. Beckler, a van load of students, and I started the long journey towards Indianapolis. This would easily be a 14 hour drive if we chose to eat it all up in one shot. Thankfully for our butts it was not. I don’t remember where we stayed on the way down or even what state we were in. I do remember that we drove the majority of the way so day two of driving wasn’t too daunting.

The convention lasts four days from Thursday to Sunday in The Indianapolis Convention Center. That is right next to Lucas Oil Stadium where the Colts play and the Drum Corps International World Championships are held.

Leading up to this weekend I had taken a lot of notes looking at the schedule and trying to map out the days. There are multiple classes and performances happening at the same time in different rooms so you had to make hard decisions sometimes as to what you wanted to see/learn. This is without a doubt the most spacious building I had ever been in. Not only do they have multiple rooms to house thousands of people at a time they also had a large convention floor where all of the percussion companies had booths to show off and sell their products.

Kid in a candy store is an understatement. Everywhere you looked there was something you wanted to play or play with. Mallets, cymbals, and sticks, OH MY. And you could try it all. Dream vibraphones and marimbas that cost $20,000 and you could play them! I really could go on but to put it plainly this was my happy place and I still think of it fondly. (If only everything didn’t cost so much)

On the convention floor you also had a chance to meet professional percussions and educators that you look up to. I got to talk to Peter Erskine, legendary drummer for Weather Report. I had a short and very pleasant conversation with Jared Falk who is the founder and CEO of Drumeo, an excellent drumming education source. I also got to meet Mike Balter, maker of Mike Balter mallets. These are my absolute favorite mallets because they bring the quality of the “fancier” brands without the huge price tag.

I got to see so many different seminars in those few days that I really can’t recall them all. I took a notebook and tried to journal but ended up living more in the moment and forgetting to take a note for my future self. The ones that I do remember are names that most people wouldn’t recognize. I already named 3 people that are a little too “inside baseball”. But there was one that most people would know!

One of the highlights had to be The Blue Man Group. Not only because these guys are incredible showmen but because they weren’t blue! We got to see them outside of their blue characters. We got to meet the musicians behind the face paint. Not to mention, we ended up having front row seats. They talked about how they all became blue men and how they approach their performances. It felt very special to see behind the curtain a little bit.

This trip I didn’t have Sam with me but I did have some close friends. Jack, Nyssa, and Dani are a couple of years younger than me and were still students at this time. We were all percussionists together through college and formed bonds from relying on each other to make music. I wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun if not for these people.

Before we knew it, it was time to head back home. The best times always seem to go so fast. I learned many things and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.