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McCafferty Percussion

Engaging Arrangements, Engaging Compositions

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New Directions

September 17, 2018 by mark

Disclosure: I sometimes earn money or products from any of the companies mentioned on this site. Thank you for your support!

I’ve played gigs for crowds, for empty rooms, and taught hundreds of students.

At times, I have lived for the next gig, that next break through with a student, that chance that there would be a “moment”.

I am not in that place any longer. Don’t get me wrong–I teach everyday, and am immensely fulfilled by helping improve a students abilities! I am glad, though, that my teaching has continued to shift towards students who WANT to be there, and away from students who are going through the motions.

I am also still thrilled to get a call for a gig, or to be counting off the first tune in front of a crowd–there’s little better than an appreciative audience.

However, my life has changed, and I feel like it’s time for a new season. I have intentionally cut back on pick up gigs, and on certain types of teaching.

Partly, my work at MSJ, while fulfilling, takes A LOT of time!

Partly, I have found that I would rather spend the evenings with my wife and son, than playing one more tune for drunks trying to talk louder than the band, or teach one more quarter note to a student that hasn’t practiced since last week.

Partly, there is an area of music I feel I haven’t explored enough–composition and arranging.

I’ve always enjoyed this activity, and the arranging courses I took in school changed my perception of music.

Perhaps, it’s a cyclic thing–when I first left school, I pursued private teaching headlong. When I had become established as a go to teacher, I pursued gigs in the same way, and slacked some on my hunt for new teaching opportunities. I have slowed down gigging, perhaps initially because of outside influences, perhaps because of the same, low average payout, but also because the interest began to wane.

Please, join me, as what fires my passions now, is putting notes on the page, improvising new melodies, and re-imagining the old.

Filed Under: Current and Upcoming

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About Mark

Mark McCafferty is an in demand percussionist and has been featured on concerts from Ohio to Spain. He is an avid composer and has his current compositions available in the Shop.

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Cover tiny file look inside Mary, Did You Know? For Steel Drums By Kathy Mattea Mark Lowry Buddy Greene. Arranged by Mark McCafferty. Score, Set of Parts. 13 pages. Published by Mark McCafferty (H0.423251-6676).

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