LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Community members are invited to join LHU faculty, staff and students for a “hands-on” musical experience during a “Drum Circle” on the Lock Haven University campus. A drum circle is a community activity in which people of all ages come together to make improvised music using world percussion drums. Noted percussionist Sam Ruttenberg will lead the drum circle using the Remo world drums recently purchased by the LHU music department with grant funds. The drum circle will take place in Price Performance Center on Friday, March 27 at 2:30 p.m. The event is free.

Mahlon Grass, chair of the LHU music department, said, “This is a great opportunity to bring faculty, students, and community people together for a fun, hands-on, and educational experience.”

Ruttenberg will also be giving master classes and clinics to LHU students.

A noted percussionist, Ruttenberg is a “Remo Artist.” He is a frequent percussionist with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He also performs with the Settlement Music School Faculty Percussion Quartet, and in the past has toured and recorded with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Ballet Company, and the Houston Pops. He has also performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Lena Horne, and other jazz greats. He has appeared on Live from Lincoln Center, and worked on film and television production projects. Ruttenberg is dedicated to both performance and education.

Ruttenberg holds a Bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from the University of Miami, and a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School of Music. He currently teaches drums and percussion at Rutgers University Camden, and carries endorsements with Sabian, Vic Firth, Remo, and Noble & Cooley. His latest book, ‘Drum Tips’ (HoneyRock, 2009) outlines the how’s and why’s of drumming through an innovative method designed to improve technique and enhance overall musicianship.

Additional information on Ruttenberg is available on his website: www.samruttenberg.com.
For more information on the March 27 drum circle, contact Mahlon Grass 580-484-2145 or mgrass@lhup.edu.