CARL PALMER BAND TEACHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH MASTER CLASS IN BOSTON AREA

Legendary ELP drummer offers his guidance and percussive techniques to students of the Beachmont School Percussion Ensemble in Revere, MA

This past May 31st., Carl Palmer, and his band, made a surprise visit to the students of Beachmont School in Revere, MA., outside of Boston, to offer a Master Class in percussion for a group of eager music students. While en route to the band’s show at the Regent Theater, in Boston, the famed ELP drummer, along with guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Stuart Clayton, agreed to attend a special school assembly where he listened to the middle school students as they performed ELP material and classical songs played to ELP arrangements. A spare set of drums had been set up in advance for Palmer in the hopes that he would join the students, which he did.

Palmer showed ELP videos and spoke to the audience about the significance of recording Pictures at an Exhibition with ELP. Afterwards, Carl, Paul and Stuart were invited to sit and watch the Beachmont Percussion Ensemble perform their arrangement of Pictures. The ensemble not only has percussion, but it also contains synthesizers which produce a unique sound. The students performed an arrangement that was very similar to ELP’s, with all of the majestic, mysterious, foreboding, ferocious, 16 minute intensity of the many movements. After the performance, Carl enthusiastically congratulated the kids ranging in age from 10-13.

“It was a fantastic experience to see such talented music students, especially at that very young age,” says Palmer. “I never expected them to be so enthusiastic about the music and their

instruments.” During the Ensemble’s version of the ELP-arranged version of the Dave Brubeck classic, “Rondo,” Palmer jumped up from his seat and joined the students on stage using a spare kit that had been set up for him.

“We were told he would not perform with the students, but we had a spare drum kit ready to go, just in case,” said music teacher and event organizer, Tom Maffucci. “When he got on the band stand top perform with the children it was really a special moment.”

Adds Maffucci: “Carl not only shared his greatness as a performer, but more importantly, he was so attentive to the questions of the children, making sure they understood what he was talking about. He is as great an educator as he is an accomplished drummer! Paul and Stuart, educators in their own rights, answered questions as well. It was a beautiful thing to see how kind and caring they all were to the children in the ensemble. Afterwards, he tirelessly signed autographs for everyone there.”

The Carl Palmer Band appearance at the Beachmont School, came during its first North American tour, which runs through July 3rd.

For further information, please contact:

Anne Leighton

Leighton Media

Leightonmedia@aol.com