This past weekend was the 2007 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Columbus, OH.

How could I resist going? A mere 3-hour drive away and I was in the midst of the most glorious showcase of the year.

I left on Thursday morning, at 7:30am. I meant to leave at 4:30am, but I kept pushing my stupid Snooze button on my alarm clock! Oops, it was ok, though, I didn't miss much.

I arrived at approximately 11am and registered, which was a hefty $83 to get into the convention. I first went straight to the exhibit hall. It was amazing! There were booths full of percussion music, percussion gear, new innovations in percussion, and you could try out everything! There was an electronic steel pan, and a trashcan made into a floor tom, and some floppy cymbals!

My eyes were amazed at what they were seeing. I walked around for about an hour, scoping out what I wanted to buy. I played multiple marimbas, testing them out, and also look around for lots of sheet music to buy. I tried out different drum sticks and mallets, and kept a list in my head of what I liked and what I didn't, but I didn't buy anything yet...

There was more to the convention than the exhibition hall, though. I went to a marimba concert by Mika Yoshida, and then to a clinic by Gary Rudolph and Jim Bailey, which was about using computer tools to help younger musicians become motivated to practice.

At 4 p.m. I went back to the exhibition hall, but at 5 p.m. I went to the college-level marimba solo competition. It was pretty awesome! I listened to marimba solos for 2 1/2 hours.

After that, I went to the evening concert at 8. It began with a 1-hour concert by Emmanuel Sejourné. Let me say, it blew me out of the water. After that, there was some loud drumming from Korea by the Chung Ang percussion group. My ears were ringing a bit afterwards, but it was such a cool concert. They were so involved, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, in their music and playing. It was fantastic.

I left Columbus after the concert...only to go back on Saturday morning!!!

I began the morning by attending the Northwestern University Percussion Ensemble Showcase concert. It was ok, and they played some interesting new music. There was a 3-marimba piece that I particularly enjoyed.

After the concert, I went to a clinic by John Wittmann, from Yamaha. It was very interesting; he spoke about professional development and, basically, how to get a job later in life. I learned a lot, including that I shouldn't worry about endorsements.

I met Jon Crabiel, my percussion instructor at Butler, and Butler grad/Arizona State grad student Matt Harris and walked with them around the hall for a while. I finally started making purchases, including purchasing the first marimba concerto by Ney Rosauro. The best part was that Ney was at the booth selling the music, and he personally signed mine for me! I was so excited.

I bought lots of music, and eventually some new mallets, too! They sound fantastic and are the new Mark Ford series.

The last part of the day, I went to the evening concert, which was Andy Narell, a popular steel pan player. I didn't know what to expect because I didn't know him, but he blew me out of the water!!! It was amazing.

FINALLY, on the way back from PASIC...I hit a deer on I-70. Because of my reactions, I didn't do much damage to the car. There was just a loud "thud," my car immediately lost momentum, and I pulled over to the side of the road. It was a very frightening experience, involving a state trooper and my car's steering gear going slightly off-center. However, I was capable of driving it back.

So yeah, I pretty much killed Bambi. Oops! I felt horrible about it, but I am alive and in good health. Horray!

PASIC was quite an experience! I hope to go next year to Austin. :D