Derek Munson My love affair with drums began at roughly age three. My father was a drummer with a local band, and he played nearly every weekend. Growing up, there was always a kit to bang on around the house. I watched my dad play all the time, and that’s what got the ball rolling. I put myself through extensive ear training up through 6th grade, when I joined band in middle school. I continued to play through middle and high school years, receiving numerous awards and accolades for my percussive presence. I have had the opportunity to meet and share good times with many of my favorite players over the years, including Steve Houghton, Dave Weckl, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Scott Johnson, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Jeff Hamilton, to name a few. I am nearly 22 years old, and live in Kennewick, Washington, which lies in the Southeastern corner of Washington State, on the Columbia River. I am approaching my 19th year as a drummer and percussionist. I exclusively play Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and DW pedals. Awards Received an award for “Best Soloist” every year, (1993-2000), at “Jazz Unlimited”, a jazz festival put on by Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington. Was selected to Western International Band Conference’s (WIBC) top honor band (audition only) in 1999, where I met Steve Houghton, and played side-by-side with him in concert. Selected as the drummer for Washington State’s “All-State Jazz Band”, beating out thousands of other high school drummers from across the state. Received “Best Soloist” award while with the Columbia Basin College Jazz Ensemble at the Reno Jazz Festival (2001). Past Experience Highlands Middle School Jazz Band (1993-1995) Southridge High School Jazz Ensemble (1996-2000) All-City Jazz Band (1997) Started “THUMP!”, a unique percussive stage show often likened to ‘STOMP’ and ‘Blue Man Group’, receiving acclaim regionally for it’s innovation and design (1997-2003) Pit orchestra for regional productions of “Fiddler on the Roof” (1997), “Miracle on 54th Street” (1998), “The Pajama Game” (1999), “The Mikado” (1999), and “Brigadoon” (2000). Marched with the Division I DCI World Finalist Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps from Seattle, Washington (1999) Washington State ‘All-State Jazz Band’ (2000) Taught at Southridge High School (2000), Pasco High School (2001), and Kamiakin High School (2001-present) as a percussion instructor for their respective marching bands Current Musical Involvement I am the Director of Percussion for Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, WA, where I teach 2 concert percussion ensembles, a theater percussion group, and their marching band. I teach alongside the director, Mr. Keith Russell, and also co-write their marching show every year. I am the drummer for the ‘John Mancinelli Big Band’ a.k.a. “Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra”, a 20-piece jazz orchestra that plays throughout Washington State, gigging monthly, with heavy exposure to music students and professional musicians. The band is comprised of music educators and local professional players. I teach private lessons locally, with over a dozen serious, well-mannered students currently, and that number continues to grow very steadily. I take students on an audition basis, which is why there are just over a dozen (13) currently. I am the principal percussionist with the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and have been involved with them since 2000. I am in a local progressive rock band, “Treemonisha”, which has established itself as one of the finest bands to come out of the Tri-Cities, Washington area. We are currently planning a tour of the West Coast, tentatively set for September 2003. Our CD is set for release in the winter of 2003 on the Funkytonk Records music label. I am currently on tour with Seattle-based singer/songwriter/pianist Aaron English, in support of his 2002 CD release, “All The Waters Of This World”. Tour dates and more information can be found at www.aaronenglish.com. I am replacing Seattle music/recording/engineering notable Don Gunn, who accepted a VP position at Noble & Cooley drums recently. For more information on me and the music I play, including a “20 questions” session and a photographic breakdown of my kit and other equipment, head over to www.treemonisha.net/pages/bioderek.html I hope you enjoyed this extra-special glimpse into my life! I can be reached via e-mail at Fireboy63@hotmail.com. Feel free to drop me a line and say hi, or talk shop. I’ll be sure to get to your e-mails as quickly as possible! Thanks! Back