News
October 15th, 2021
RMPA-Con Adds to Clinician Roster!
The Rocky Mountain Percussion Association is excited to announce the addition of Joy Liu-Nunez and other clinicians to RMPA-Con 2021!
Joy Liu-Nunez joins Bret Kuhn as a headlining clinician for RMPA-Con 2021, coming up on November 6th! Joy helps bolster the clinician roster for Mallet players, as well as adds a wealth of knowledge for instructor tracks.
RMPA President, Lauren Maxwell had this to say about Joy, "Joy is not only an exceptional performer and clinician, but brings a unique perspective on teaching and developing students and programs from her day to day work as a therapist. As we get back to 'Drumming Together,' Joy's addition to RMPA-Con 2021 is a huge win for members and instructors alike!"
Joy resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Tony, and their puppy, Lil’ Puff. As an avid traveler and planner, her favorite places to be are Seattle and Copenhagen.
Joy currently serves as the program manager with RCC Indoor Percussion, front ensemble instructor with Arcadia High School, and the director of operations with Arcadia Music & Arts Symposium. She has more than 10 years of experience as a percussion instructor including past experiences with Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps and high schools across Southern California.
Her marching experiences include the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps and RCC indoor.
Beyond the pageantry, Joy is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in private practice helping clients with trauma and life challenges. She is also an advocate for students and members’ mental health in the marching arts.
Joy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Master of Science in Counseling.
In addition to Joy, RMPA is also excited to announce additional clinicians that will be assisting Bret Kuhn and Joy Liu-Nunez during student sessions:
- Alex Hinds (Blue Knights, RISE Percussion, Phantom Regiment, Gateway Indoor, Fossil Ridge HS)
- Kliff Holly (RISE Percussion, The Cavaliers, NorthCoast Academy, S2, Legend HS)
- Lauren Maxwell (Blue Knights, Centaurus HS)
- Pete Lucero (Blue Knights, Pulse Percussion, POW Percussion, Blue Devils, RCC, Great Oak HS)
- Scott Wilson (Blue Knights, The Cadets)
RMPA-Con 2021 (Formerly RMPA Day of Percussion) is the Official Kick-Off to the 2022 RMPA Season. After the CoronaVirus forced the early cancellation of the 2020 season and a Virtual season in 2021, RMPA-Con’s theme is, “Drumming Together,” celebrating the return of in-person events for 2022. As part of that celebration, this event will be FREE to all middle school, high school, and college aged percussionists, ensemble directors, instructors, and band directors—regardless of RMPA affiliation! Clinic tracks will be provided for students as well as instructors and designers, highlighting information on technique, design, and more! Doors open at 9am, with events beginning at 10am. Lunch will be provided for all participants. The event wraps-up with a special percussion performance.
Visit www.RMPA.org, and follow RMPA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date as even more clinicians are announced leading up to the event. Please let us know you plan on attending by clicking the "Register Now" button below to get your free ticket to the event.
September 24th, 2021
Bret Kuhn to Headline RMPA-Con 2021
The Rocky Mountain Percussion Association is proud to announce Bret Kuhn as the headlining clinician for RMPA-Con 2021, to be held on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at Englewood High School.
A 6 Time DCI World Champion and 5 Time DCI High Percussion Award winner, Bret brings decades of experience teaching, composing, designing, and judging for percussionists at all levels in DCI, WGI, and Scholastic Band programs around the globe. Bret is renowned for his emphasis on technique and designing exciting and engaging material that meets the educational needs of his ensembles. About his addition to RMPA-Con 2021, RMPA President Lauren Maxwell emphasized “We are thrilled for the information Bret will provide to students, instructors, directors, and arrangers in RMPA and percussion programs across Colorado. We are so grateful that Bret was able to find time in the busy fall schedule to join us on November 6th!”
Bret immediately hit the ground running with his vision for the event, the goal is to make the event meaningful for both students and adults in attendance. Alongside additional clinicians and performers, Bret will share a wide range of information about philosophy and technique, arranging and orchestration, show designing and General Effect, equipment maintenance and percussion tips for Band Directors, and much more! Bret’s enthusiasm is evident, saying “I am very excited to be a part of RMPA-Con for instructors and students alike. This should be a chance for all of us to share, learn, and grow. Hope to see you there!”
RMPA-Con 2021 (Formerly RMPA Day of Percussion) is the Official Kick-Off to the 2022 RMPA Season. After the CoronaVirus forced the early cancellation of the 2020 season and a Virtual season in 2021, RMPA-Con’s theme is, “Drumming Together,” celebrating the return of in-person events for 2022. As part of that celebration, this event will be FREE to all middle school, high school, and college aged percussionists, ensemble directors, instructors, and band directors—regardless of RMPA affiliation! Clinic tracks will be provided for students as well as instructors and designers, highlighting information on technique, design, and more! Doors open at 9am, with events beginning at 10am. Lunch will be provided for all participants. The event wraps-up with a special percussion performance.
Visit www.RMPA.org, and follow RMPA on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date as more clinicians and performances are announced leading up to the event. Please let us know you plan on attending by clicking the "Register Now" button below to get your free ticket to the event.
About Bret Kuhn...
Bret served as Caption Head and Percussion Arranger for the World Champion Cavaliers who won 6 World Championships and 5 High Percussion Awards during his tenure. He also consulted with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps 2006-2008. In 2010 he served as Program Coordinator for the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. He was the Battery Arranger with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2016. Bret has been on staff with the Cavaliers as an Ensemble Specialist since 2018.
Bret is adjunct faculty at Northern Illinois University and Prospect High School. Bret is very active as an arranger for various high schools and universities throughout the US and Japan. He also arranges for The Aimachi Marching Band and Indoor Drumline from Nagoya, Japan. They were Bronze medalists at WGI in 2006 and 2008.
He travels extensively, performing and presenting clinics across the United States, Japan and Europe for Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion.
Bret has judged Effect Music for WGI since 2013 as well as many other indoor percussion circuits across the country.
Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and served on the Board of Directors for the Percussive Arts Society from 2005-2012. Bret is also a member of The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, known as ASCAP.
For more online resources from Bret, please visit his continually growing library of videos and classes for students and directors covering beginning percussion, marching percussion, drumset, and more! Now available on Ensemble Block at https://bretkuhn.ensembleblock.com/.
September 23rd, 2021
2022 Show Host Applications LIVE!
RMPA is currently accepting applications for 2022 Show Hosts!
Applications must be submitted by Friday, October 8th, 2021 at 6pm
CLICK HERE to complete your application
October 22nd, 2020
RMPA 2021 Season Announcement!
The RMPA Board of Directors has made the decision that the RMPA 2021 Season will be virtual. This decision was the most in line with what ensemble directors could support, and what RMPA as a circuit could facilitate. With that being said, we have not ruled out an in person end of season showcase (non-competitive) to celebrate the end of the season and perform for each other in person if possible.
Registration will open on December 1st, 2020. Below you will find details about registration, classifications, and cost.
Season Details
RMPA will adopt the same Percussion and Winds Classifications as WGI for the 2021 season including Showcase. Additionally, RMPA will be offering a "Standstill Percussion Ensemble" classification, which would include a mostly standstill drumline and front ensemble. More information on WGI Divisions and Classifications can be Found Here.
Schedule
The 2021 RMPA Season Schedule has been created to support competing within our circuit but to also enable ensembles the opportunity for feedback prior to entering a WGI contest. The first three shows are class specific and will allow ensembles to get feedback before the WGI submission dates. All events, regardless of classification are open to both Winds and Percussion.
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December 1st, 2020: Registration Opens
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February 6th: Solo Classification Kickoff
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February 13th: Competitive Group Kickoff
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February 20th: Solo and Small Ensemble Kickoff
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March 6th: All Classifications and Divisions
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March 13th: All Classifications and Divisions
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March 20th: All Classifications and Divisions
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April 4th RMPA State Championships Prelims - Not included in Non-Competitive Season Package
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April 10th RMPA State Championships Finals - Not included in Non-Competitive Season Package
Registration Cost
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All-Access: $500 Includes 1 Competitive Group and unlimited Solo and Small Ensemble entries for that Division (Winds or Percussion) per organization or school.
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Non-Competitive Track: $250 includes 1 Non-Competitive Group and unlimited Solo and Small Ensemble entries for that Division (Winds or Percussion) for all shows except State Prelims and Finals.
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Solo and Small Ensemble Only: $250 includes unlimited Solo and Ensemble entries for one Division only
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Solo Only: $50 includes unlimited entries to the RMPA Solo events for individuals NOT affiliated with an RMPA member ensemble.
Add-On Packages
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Additional Competitive Group ensembles within the same organization or school can register for the All Access bundle for $250.
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A school can purchase all access to Solo and Small Ensemble for a different Division (Winds or Percussion) for $150.
August 20th, 2020
2021 Membership Meeting
Below are the proposals proposed by the membership and the bylaw changes proposed by the Board of Directors that will be discussed and voted on this Sunday, August 23rd at our General Membership Meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Proposals and Bylaw Changes for Consideration
Still need to RSVP for our virtual meeting? Click Here - only primary representatives will have the opportunity to vote for proposal/by-law changes, and in the election process for the RMPA Board of Directors.
Nominations for the board will be taken at the meeting, if you are unable to attend but would like to be considered you can self-nominate to the Board of Directors by emailing rmpaboard@rmpa.org.
The meeting link will be sent out to those who have RSVP'd prior to the start of the meeting.
Thank you and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
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