UNews - Matt Groenheide

Global Drums members record EP with rock legends at iconic Ocean Studios

trevor.kenney — Mon, 29 May 2017 20:12:42 +0000

Six members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Global Drum percussion ensemble, under the direction of Adam Mason, were hand-selected to participate in a ground-breaking Pan Rocks recording at Ocean Studios in Burbank, CA alongside a jaw-dropping list of rock and roll alumni.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumni Matt Groenheide (BMus ’11), Jodi Groenheide (BMus ’11), Alya Jeraj (BMus ’13), Matt Thiessen (BMus ’16), and current students Theo Lysyk and Owen Francis were the only Canadian artists to join a 25-piece steel drum orchestra, Pan Rocks, to record a six-song EP and video documentary.

A special experience for, (from left) Theo Lysyk, Matt Groenheide, Owen Francis, Pan Rocks founder Tracy Thornton, Matt Thiessen, Jodi Groenheide and Alya Jeraj.

Internationally renowned steel pannist and founder of Pan Rocks, Tracy Thornton, brought in rock heavy hitters including Stephen Perkins on drumset (Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros), Tracii Guns on guitar (LA Guns; Guns & Roses), and Billy Sheehan on bass (Mr. Big; David Lee Roth). The project is being produced by Thornton and Matt Starr (Mr. Big; Ace Frehley) and will be mastered by Dave Collins (Metallica, The Police, Soundgarden). They will also be adding tracks from Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad), and a cello duo from America’s Got Talent.

“It was a huge honour to be invited to be part of such a ground-breaking project,” says Matt Groenheide. “I don’t think anyone has ever bridged the gap between the worlds of steel pan and rock in such a big way.”

The group recorded six songs including an original piece by Thornton and covers of rock classics from Jane’s Addiction, Led Zeppelin, KISS and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The recording took place in May at famed Ocean Studios that has seen the likes of Evanescense, Jimmy Eat World, the Ataris and more.

“Ocean Studios was mind blowing,” exclaims Jeraj. “The studio was cozy and not intimidating at all. Walking down the hallway to record we saw platinum and gold records from Avril Lavigne, Fall Out Boy, and so many more. I can't even describe the feeling I got when we were setting up and recording, knowing so many great musicians had used the space.”

The percussionists had a chance to rub elbows with rock legends, not something they get to do every day in Lethbridge.

“I wasn't sure what to expect when meeting these rock and roll legends. I didn't know if we would actually get to work with them directly or even talk to them. It was amazing. They were hanging out with us and wanted to know more about what we did back home and if we were having a good time.”

There were also steel plan players from across the US who are teachers at universities, inner city schools, or freelance musicians. Learning from them and playing alongside was an unforgettable experience.

“They were all extremely well prepared and talented beyond belief. Learning about their history with steel pan and percussion, and who they have toured and played with was so inspiring,” shares Jeraj. “Billy, Stephen, Matt and Tracii may have played with famous rock stars, but many of the percussionists have traveled to Trinidad to play with the most iconic steel pan players in the world. One of the tenor pan players, Bryan Garbe, just came back from opening up for Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden with his band Oak and Ash.”

Thornton is no stranger to the Global Drums ensemble, working with Global Drums and director Adam Mason over the years, travelling with them to Trinidad & Tobago, Japan, the Netherlands, England and the US.

“He’s really Global Drums’ best friend,” says Groenheide. “We’ve been playing Tracy’s music for years. It was incredible to hear it brought to life by the combination of steel pans and rock instruments.”

“This project has been a dreamlike experience for our students,” says Mason. “They have worked hard and persevered to be counted among the best of the best. I could not be more proud of them.”

Pan Rocks is the brainchild of Thornton, a professional steel pan performer, composer, arranger, recorder and clinician.

“One of his ongoing missions is to put rock and roll music on steel pan in order to expose the instrument to people who haven't heard of it before,” shares Groenheide. “He wants to prove that the steel pan is not just a novelty instrument playing Caribbean folk tunes at a poolside bar. It's a versatile, fully-chromatic instrument that can play any style of music.”

The result of their hard work will be a documentary and EP to be released in the future.

“Tracy Thornton is so passionate about steel pan that he wants to reach a wider audience,” says Jeraj. “I hope it reaches younger kids and youth who may look at the pan as ‘light and fluffy.’ Hopefully this will get kids and others wanting to take up pan and become musicians.”

Campus Kudos - May

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:18:50 +0000

Dr. Brian Black (Music), Dr. Edward Jurkowski (Music) and Dr. Emily Luce (New Media) all received internal Social Sciences Humanities Research Council grants valued at $4,500 each.

U of L alumnus Christian Darbyshire (BMgt '99) was named one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40™. As a partner with tinePublic Inc., Darbyshire has been instrumental in securing names such as Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Lance Armstrong and Arnold Schwarzenegger for educational speaking engagements in Canada. It is the second consecutive year that the U of L has had someone recognized by the Globe and Mail's Top 40 Under 40™ program. Dr. Olga Kovalchuk was honoured last year.

Joshua Seerattan, a U of L student from the Faculty of Management, and Courtney Lockhart from the Faculty of Arts and Science, have been awarded a $5,500 USD grant from Alberta Advanced Education and Technology for their participation in The Washington Centre – Alberta Internship Program for summer 2011. Both students will spend six weeks in Washington, D.C. Seerattan will be participating in the Global Trade and Regional Integration program, while Lockhart will take part in the International Affairs program.

Dagmar Dahle's (Art) work is included in the exhibition ANIMAL, at Museum London in Ontario.

Laura Lavigne (BA '06), the co-ordinator, International Programs & Exchange, in the International Centre for Students was awarded a full scholarship ($3,000) to participate in the International Educators Training Program this summer at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Denton Fredrickson (Art) has made the long list for the 2011 Sobey Art Award, Canada's pre-eminent prize for contemporary Canadian art. Following a three-month nomination process, the Curatorial Panel announced the 25 artists vying for this year's award.

Music major Matt Groenheide (percussionist) won the Young Artist Competition presented by the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. In addition to a cash prize, he receives a guest solo spot with the LSO during their 2011-2012 Masters Series.

Marg McKeen (Office of Research and Innovation Services) is retiring this summer after 33 years of service to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. She began her career at the U of L as an Academic Secretary in the Department of Sociology and was hired by the Office of Research Services in 1986. Since that time, she has served in a number of roles and worked with numerous faculty members and students. A retirement reception will be held on Wednesday, June 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Markin Hall Atrium. Anyone wishing to send written messages of congratulations to Marg can contact Penny Pickles (picpj@uleth.ca). Those wanting to have their live messages taped can contact Jane Allan (jane.allan@uleth.ca).

Jazlyn Dow (BFA '10) has been accepted into the Master of Arts in Visual Culture: Costume Studies program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Glory and Grandeur

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:33:02 +0000

Celebrate the glory and the grandeur of magnificent wind band music with the U of L Wind Orchestra, Friday, Mar. 26 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church.

"Our feature piece provides the title of our concert," says director Glenn Klassen. "The Glory and the Grandeur by Russell Peck is going to knock everyone's socks off!"

An exciting composition for percussion trio and wind orchestra, three guest percussionists take the stage for this piece – U of L percussion instructor Adam Mason and music majors Jodi Bartel and Matt Groenheide.

"It's a terribly exciting, upbeat and jazzy piece. It's also visually stunning to see the percussionists running back and forth on stage," Klassen says.

The program also features an H. Owen Reed piece entitled, La Fiesta Mexicana.

"This is a wonderful piece inspired by the composer's visit to Mexico during Carnivale," Klassen explains. "The piece has both festive and sacred components, including a Mariachi section. It has some of the typical Mexican sounds and flavours."

Other items on the program include Shostakovich's Festive Overture and another piece called Festivale, which will be conducted by a special guest conductor, to be revealed at the concert.

Audiences outside of Lethbridge also have the opportunity to hear the U of L Wind Orchestra during their tour in March.

"We leave on Mar. 1 for British Columbia," Klassen says. "We'll be playing across the province, from Penticton to Vancouver."

Among the many performances during the tour, a highlight is their appearance at the Okanagan Band Festival.

"We are the featured band for the festival," Klassen says. "This is a big deal for the Wind Orchestra. With over 30 bands performing, it's a great honour to be named as the feature performer."

Tickets for the Mar. 26 Lethbridge performance are on sale at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616) and at the door. Tickets are priced at $15 regular and $10 for students and seniors.

Glory and Grandeur

trevor.kenney — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:40:43 +0000

Celebrate the glory and the grandeur of magnificent wind band music with the
U of L Wind Orchestra, Friday, Mar. 26 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church.