Brendan McCourtSan Diego, CADrummer since 1990; Photo & Video pro since 2005
I started studying percussion in the school band in 1990 when I was in 4th grade. Once I was in high school, I studied privately with Albert Merz, then the Principle Tympanist of the National Symphony Orchestra, formerly of the highly regarded Marine Band, and also a professor at local universities. Through my high school’s marching drumline, I also studied with Marshall Maley, the head of the Washington, DC chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and a professor at local universities as well. I was in the school’s Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, I was elected President the Guitar Club (as a drummer!), and for a few years I was in the district’s Honor Band. I started my first rock band at age 15 once I saved up enough lawn mowing money for a drum set.
Later in college, thanks to a Percussion Performance scholarship, I studied with Allen Wojtera, an accomplished musician in his own right. We pursued Classical, Latin, Jazz and Pop music along with a number of ensemble situations. As a freshman, I passed the audition for the highest level Symphonic Band, usually reserved for older students. I also performed in the West African (Djembe) Ensemble, the (Caribbean) Steel Pan Ensemble, the Percussion Ensemble, and several rock/pop bands around our college town.
After college, I spent most of my 20s touring with a handful of very different bands on the east coast. I toured the west coast in my 30s. From bands and session work I've done 25+ recordings; in LA, San Diego, DC, Nashville, NYC and Virginia Beach.
Along the way, I coached a high school marching drumline and indoor percussion ensemble, and brought the joy of making music to a few dozen private students. Some of them are still playing drums, others switched to guitar or violin, and even some don’t pursue music anymore. But I like to think that each of them learned to love music and its fundamental role in the human experience.
