A dedicated educator, Dr. Francis has coached students and teachers throughout the US and Canada in clinics, masterclasses, and workshops over the past twenty years. Working with beginner, middle school, high school and college students, in addition to professional players and educators, Graeme advocates for an inclusive approach to percussion and music education. His interactive workshops include the following topics, and all are available as in-person or virtual presentations:
Percussion Masterclasses and Private Lessons
- Session Length: 1-2 hours (2-8 performing students in a masterclass setting)
- Focus can include: All-State Region Etudes (high school), college audition repertoire, solo recitals and/or chamber music (high school or college level), percussion ensemble repertoire, mixed chamber ensemble coaching, specific percussion techniques.
The BEST Start For Percussionists
- Session Length: 1-2 hours
- Participation - 3-25 students and teachers
- Fundamentals addressed:
- basic techniques for snare, mallets, timpani, auxiliary instruments
- importance of correct setup of equipment
- approriate mallet/stick choice
- Focuses on how to make a quality sound as a percussionist
- A great "cover it all!" session for beginners, returning students, and teachers
Introduction to Jazz Drum Set
- Session Length: 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-25 students and teachers
- Focus is placed on consistency of the basic quarter note pulse
- The ride cymbal pattern is developed by focusing on a natural approach to technique
- Hi hat foot technique is explained
- Basic comping is discussed and applied - simple is best!
- Examples from great jazz drummers presented as a good example of excellent, simple jazz drumming
"If You Can Sing It, You Can Swing It!"
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-25 students and teachers
- Developing simple and effective jazz drum set solos at all playing levels
- Singing simple rhythmic ideas to "de-clutter" the solo
- Students play along with Dr. Francis, trading approachable solo ideas with one another
- Examples of simple solos from famous drummers is presented - if they can play simple solos, so can we!
Rhythm Section and Combo Coaching
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-10 students and teachers
- working with the big band rhythm section on specific songs/styles
- physical setup of the rhythm section is addressed
- students are taught what to listen for in each other's playing
- students work on creating a cohesive, unified sound to solidify the larger band's feel
Developing Relaxed, Versatile, Hands for all Percussion Instruments
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-30 students and teachers
- Variations on George Stone's famous "Stick Control" book
- Students learn exercises for developing a relaxed, natural approach to technique
- Emphasis is placed on the versatility of single and double strokes, on which all other rudiments are based
- All variations have particular applications in the greater percussion field
The Development of Latin Jazz
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-50 students and teachers
- Lecture format with musical examples
- Describes the amalgamation of classical music and traditional Spanish rhythms with the folks rhythms of Latin America
- Great supplemental material for jazz history and music appreciation courses
Customized Workshops
- Dr. Francis will design a workshop that suits your program's needs, drawing from his extensive teaching background (rock history, jazz history, percussion history, drum set, keyboard percussion, timpani, orchestral excerpts, Broadway performance, studio recording)
- Versatile formats and session lengths, for any sized group
For more information about Dr. Francis's workshops, or if you're interested in studying with him, please click below.
Percussion Masterclasses and Private Lessons
- Session Length: 1-2 hours (2-8 performing students in a masterclass setting)
- Focus can include: All-State Region Etudes (high school), college audition repertoire, solo recitals and/or chamber music (high school or college level), percussion ensemble repertoire, mixed chamber ensemble coaching, specific percussion techniques.
The BEST Start For Percussionists
- Session Length: 1-2 hours
- Participation - 3-25 students and teachers
- Fundamentals addressed:
- basic techniques for snare, mallets, timpani, auxiliary instruments
- importance of correct setup of equipment
- approriate mallet/stick choice
- Focuses on how to make a quality sound as a percussionist
- A great "cover it all!" session for beginners, returning students, and teachers
Introduction to Jazz Drum Set
- Session Length: 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-25 students and teachers
- Focus is placed on consistency of the basic quarter note pulse
- The ride cymbal pattern is developed by focusing on a natural approach to technique
- Hi hat foot technique is explained
- Basic comping is discussed and applied - simple is best!
- Examples from great jazz drummers presented as a good example of excellent, simple jazz drumming
"If You Can Sing It, You Can Swing It!"
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-25 students and teachers
- Developing simple and effective jazz drum set solos at all playing levels
- Singing simple rhythmic ideas to "de-clutter" the solo
- Students play along with Dr. Francis, trading approachable solo ideas with one another
- Examples of simple solos from famous drummers is presented - if they can play simple solos, so can we!
Rhythm Section and Combo Coaching
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-10 students and teachers
- working with the big band rhythm section on specific songs/styles
- physical setup of the rhythm section is addressed
- students are taught what to listen for in each other's playing
- students work on creating a cohesive, unified sound to solidify the larger band's feel
Developing Relaxed, Versatile, Hands for all Percussion Instruments
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-30 students and teachers
- Variations on George Stone's famous "Stick Control" book
- Students learn exercises for developing a relaxed, natural approach to technique
- Emphasis is placed on the versatility of single and double strokes, on which all other rudiments are based
- All variations have particular applications in the greater percussion field
The Development of Latin Jazz
- Session Length - 1-2 hours
- Participation: 3-50 students and teachers
- Lecture format with musical examples
- Describes the amalgamation of classical music and traditional Spanish rhythms with the folks rhythms of Latin America
- Great supplemental material for jazz history and music appreciation courses
Customized Workshops
- Dr. Francis will design a workshop that suits your program's needs, drawing from his extensive teaching background (rock history, jazz history, percussion history, drum set, keyboard percussion, timpani, orchestral excerpts, Broadway performance, studio recording)
- Versatile formats and session lengths, for any sized group
For more information about Dr. Francis's workshops, or if you're interested in studying with him, please click below.
Dr. Francis' presentations include appearances at The Austin Chamber Music Festival Summer Workshop, National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Texas Music Educators' Association Convention, Canadian Federation of Music Festivals, Robert Hohner Institute of Percussion Summer Workshops, Crash Percussion Festival, Texas State University Jazz Festival, Victoria Bach Festival, SUNY Oneonta Jazz Festival, Texas Solo and Ensemble competitions, The Centre for Musical Minds, and Hartwick College Honors Band, in addition to numerous high schools, colleges, and universities.
Testimonials:
"If you schedule a clinic with Dr. Graeme Francis, I can tell you it will be a productive, brilliant session. He is extremely knowledgeable and has an amazing talent for clearly sharing information with all ages. His energy (even through Zoom) is contagious and engaging. Graeme is a superb musician and educator. I highly recommend him!"
- Sherry Rubins, Professor of Practice - Percussion, The University of Texas at San Antonio
"Dr. Graeme Francis' virtual masterclasses are top class in the industry. He is doing all of the technology work as creatively
and effectively as anyone else in the business. What separates these virtual masterclasses from the rest is the man himself -
Dr. Francis is one of the best teachers I have ever met and exemplifies everything a world class professional and educator
should be. It is an honor and joy to have him in my classes, whether virtual or in person!"
- Steven Partida, Assistant Band Director/Percussion Coordinator, John Marshall Harlan High School
"My ensembles have been fortunate to have Dr. Francis come in as a clinician. He has helped the groups take their
performance to the next level by sharing his experience and expertise in the Percussive Arts. I have been fortunate as well
to have had him as a Private Instructor. My students and I appreciate his no-nonsense, fun approach to music. I feel that
any group that has a chance to have Dr. Francis visit their ensemble are in for a great lesson and experience!"
- Martin Barrera, Assistant Band Director, Southwest Legacy High School
"Graeme’s ability to connect to each student on their level is remarkable. We hosted Graeme at UTA for a clinic that related
singing to playing drum set. After just a few short minutes, Graeme’s delivery of information was clearly easy for our students
to understand because of his wit, humor, and command of the drum vocabulary. Students left his clinic energized and ready
to play more drum set. In fact, students often sang some of the same phrases for weeks afterward! I whole-heartedly
encourage everyone to host Graeme at their campus for a clinic!"
- Dr. Andrew Eldridge, Assistant Professor of Percussion, University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Francis's educational presentations are generously supported by the Yamaha Corporation, Vic Firth Inc, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Inc.
