Podcast
Pete's Percussion Podcast - Pete Zambito
Hosted by Pete Zambito · EN
A place for long form talk with percussionists and other compelling people.
35episodes
Episodes
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Pete's Percussion Podcast: EPISODE 500!!! - The Return of Megan Arns
1w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 500 - Megan Arns (2026) Pete's Percussion Podcast It’s Episode 500, and the 10-year Anniversary of Pete’s Percussion Podcast! After Pete talks about the early days of the show (01:45), he welcomes back his Mizzou colleague, member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors, Percussionist, Educator and Administrator Megan Arns back to the show for the first time in 8 years! Megan talks about her early years in percussion and her experiences and jobs prior to taking the Percussion Director Position at Mizzou in 2014 (12:00), her 12 years so far at Mizzou, what’s she’s learned, her administrative role, the job market and the challenges for future percussion teachers (17:30), working with grad students these days and her own experiences as a grad student (36:30), why she’s involved in PAS Leadership now, having a family and the challenges and opportunities of continuing to keep a professional career (44:00), her work with the Switch~ Ensemble (01:03:30), when her mentor Michael Burritt came to visit Mizzou in the spring (01:11:00), and a brief Random Ass Questions segment including managing her own physical and mental health, her knowledge of children’s media, new and upcoming travels, her father the college professor, “full send”, and some kudos to Pete for the podcast (01:21:35).Finishing with the Raves, including some FAQs about the podcast and Pete’s heartfelt thanks to the guests and the fans of the show (01:38:00).Megan Arns Links:Megan Arns’ websiteMegan Arns’ Mizzou pageSwitch~ Ensemble websiteBill KalinkosPrevious Megan Arns’s podcast appearances:Megan in 2016Megan in 2017Megan in 2018Previous Podcast Guests mentioned in this episode:John Parks IV in 2018Troy Hall in 2020Clif Walker in 2021Mark Ford in 2023William Moersch in 2019Joshua Simonds in 2022Other Links:Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum CorpsColts Drum & Bugle CorpsMichael BumpMichael BurrittRoyal Hartigan“Kakamora” from MoanaExperimental Media and Performing Arts TheaterKPop Demon Hunters trailerMoana trailerFrozen trailerWicked trailer“Takedown” from KPop Demon Hunters
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 499 - Matthew Hinkle
2w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 499 - Matthew Hinkle Pete's Percussion Podcast No File Recent Master of Music in Percussion Performance graduate from the University of Missouri Matthew Hinkle stops by to talk about his Master’s degree recital program (03:35), his graduate assistantship duties in percussion and recording services (11:10), his interactions with the Mizzou faculty, his enjoyment of the grad cohort there, and his future in percussion (29:00), growing up in the St. Louis area, getting into percussion, and his years in DCI and WGI (44:40), his time attending community college while prepping for DCI auditions as well as getting starting working with high school drumlines (01:00:45), his undergrad years at Lindenwood University (MO) (01:07:15), his path to getting to Mizzou and more about his time as a percussion student (01:16:10), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on WGI and DCI and how they supplement the undergrad percussion student, the bad movie Anaconda, cooking, great books, classic video games, and the music of Richard Strauss (01:27:20).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film I Love Boosters (01:54:40).Previous Podcast Guests mentioned: Megan Arns in 2016Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Troy Hall in 2020Clif Walker in 2021Connor Stevens in 2021Other Links:Great Plains International Marimba Competition“Caleidoscopio” - Gene Kosinski“Canaries” - Elliot Carter“The Anvil Chorus” - David Lang“Khan Variations” - Alejandro Viñao“White Pines” - Michael BurrittThe Missouri SymphonyBlue Devils DCIFreedom Percussion WGI2019 Blue Devils showSebastian BuhtsDavid ArnsInterstellar trailerAnaconda trailerThe Percussionist’s Art - Steven SchickMeditations - Marcus AureliusGone With the Wind - Margaret MitchellMusashi’s DokkodoDOOM trailerDiablo IV trailerImo’s PizzaEin Heidenleben - Richard StraussRaves:I Love Boosters trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 498 - Sam Quinones
3w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 498 - Sam Quinones Pete's Percussion Podcast Following Pete’s thoughts about his experiences at the Canadian Percussion Network’s “The Space Between V” conference, Author and journalist Sam Quinones (The Perfect Tuba) stops by to talk about Sam’s career in journalism, growing up in California, crime reporting, and writing about tuba players and band directors (06:05), his relationship with music, his love of various genres and styles, and his background in punk rock (16:20), his first jobs in writing and building his writing skill set, talking to interesting people, and some of his favorite writers (25:00), his early research on the book, Tuba Fats, and Robert Caro (36:05), the connections between addiction and fulfillment through hard work in music, along with the needs of bands directors to become advocates for their work (41:50), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, with segments on the challenges for young journalists today, The Godfather films, and great music from The Rolling Stones, Sun Ra, and Emmylou Harris (01:05:45).Finishing with a Rave on the Sam Quinones book The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work (01:20:10).Sam Quinones Links:Sam Quinones’ websiteThe Perfect Tuba - Sam QuinonesOther Links:The Stockton RecordThe Los Angeles TimesJune 17, 1994 trailer (The OJ Simpson chase)Folk Music Center“Carol” - The Rolling Stones“Mama Tried” - Merle Haggard“Stand By Your Man” - Tammy Wynette“Jambalaya” - Clifton Chenier“La Puerta Negra” - Los Tigres Del Norte“Sweet Emotion” - Aerosmith“What’s Your Name” - Lynyrd Skynyrd“Chain Saw” - The Ramones“Clampdown” - The Clash“California Uber Alles” - Dead KennedysKillings - Calvin TrillinRobert CaroThe Corpse Had a Familiar Face - Edna BuchananOn Writing Well - William ZinsserNever Let Me Go - Kazuo IshiguroThe Godfather trailerThe Godfather Part II trailerGoodfellas trailer“Me and Billy the Kid” - Joe Ely“Space is The Place” - Sun RaQuarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town - Emmylou HarrisRaves:The Perfect Tuba - Sam Quinones
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 497 - Candice Hill
4w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 497 - Candice Hill Pete's Percussion Podcast Kansas City-based freelancing percussionist, educator, Steel Pan artist, composer and arranger Candice Hill stops by to talk about her career in KC and getting started there, along with her time performing with the Kansas City Chiefs drumline (03:45), teaching and performing in town, arranging and composing, and her work “Red City Calypso” (21:30), growing up in Columbia (MO) and her family musical background (34:45), her undergrad years at Missouri State University, marching band and lessons, getting into steel pan performance, and Music Education vs. Music Performance degrees (44:55), attending Northern Illinois University for her master’s in Steel Pan Performance, studying with Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, dealing with performance anxiety, and keeping up with her non-steel band percussion skills (01:04:15), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on being a woman in the field of percussion, Pete getting to work with Candice and Emily Lemmermann for the Missouri Mass Steel Band performance last month, Dirty Dancing, Crafts and Baking, experiencing Panorama in Trinidad and Tobago, bad cleaning jobs, and the excellence of Steel Band all over the world (01:27:20).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Michael (01:54:30).Candice Hill Links:Candice Hill’s website“Red City Calypso” - Candice HillPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Emily Lemmermann in 2019Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Scott Cameron in 2016Liam Teague in 2025Rich Holly in 2020Raychel Taylor in 2020Amanda Duncan in 2023Elizabeth DeLamater in 2019Other Links:Matt Arnet“Tornado” - Mitch MarkovichJohn PattersonBlast!Al O’ConnorCliff Alexis“Because” - The Beatles“Island in the Sun” - Len “Boogsie” SharpeYuko AsadaMia Gormandy-BenjaminRobert ChappellScott McConnellDirty Dancing trailerUnheard Voices - Myrna NurseCricut crafts“Pan by Storm” - Skiffle BunchBen YanceyRaves:Michael trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 496 - Terry Sweeney
May 21Tap to summarizeEpisode 496 - Terry Sweeney Pete's Percussion Podcast Sandbox Percussion Member and Educator Terry Sweeney stops by to talk about his work with Sandbox, their teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Mannes (NY), and the Bob Van Sice influence (03:50), the beginnings of Sandbox Percussion, Terry’s challenges of performing in Sandbox and finishing his master’s degree at the same time, the Brooklyn studio, and the challenges and workings of scheduling (19:40), growing up in Michigan, his drumset and drumline background, and connecting with Gwen Dease through Interlochen (57:00), attending Peabody Conservatory (MD) for undergrad and studying with Bob Van Sice, and heading to Yale University (CT) for grad school, continuing with Van Sice, and some of the other folks he worked with during his time there (01:11:00), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on working with Andy Akiho, training for triathlons, his fandom for popcorn, and the work Canto Ostinato (01:18:15).Finishing with a Rave on the band Sound Society (01:51:20).Terry Sweeney links:Sandbox PercussionTerry at SandboxPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Victor Caccese in 2019Ian Rosenbaum in 2025Jonny Allen in 2026Gwen Dease in 2017Garrett Arney in 2019Amy Smith in 2018Julie Hill in 2019Julie Davila in 2019David Skidmore in 2025Sean Connors in 2025Peter Martin in 2025Robert Dillon in 2025Other Links:Robert Van Sice“Extremes” - Jason Treuting“Mallet Quartet” - Steve Reich“Drumming” - Steve ReichSo PercussionEighth BlackbirdPat Metheny GroupAntonio SanchezInterlochen“Porgy and Bess” xylophone excerptModern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone - Morris GoldenbergYale Percussion Group“Mirage” - Yasuo SueyoshiPaul Berry“Time for Marimba” - Minoru MikiAftersun trailerA Rainy Day in New York trailerMy Struggle - Karl One KnausgardCanto Ostinato - Simeon ten HoltRaves:Sound Society
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 495 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 2)
May 14Tap to summarizeEpisode 495 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 2) Pete's Percussion Podcast California-based Percussionist, Educator, and Adjudicator Genevieve Hilburn returns for Part 2 of our conversation! She’s here to discuss getting into the Master’s Program at East Texas A&M University, studying with Brian Zator and his community of percussion experts, and the focus on developing young percussionists there (04:20), Genevieve’s experiences with the drumline at the school, her post-master’s degree plans, getting her jobs at CSU-Bakersfield and Bakersfield College, and her thoughts on the job considerations and preparations for graduate students (27:05), and she settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on counting rests, being a woman in the percussion world, “programmatic intent”, vintage clothing and furniture, Wes Anderson Movies, great books, Australia, the Blue Coats, and so much more (48:50).Finishing with a Rave on the books that supported Pete’s teaching of his Music and the Movies course at Mizzou (01:35:40).Genevieve Hilburn Links:Part 1 with Genevieve HilburnGenevieve Hilburn’s Bakersfield College pagePrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Britton-René Collins in 2023Brian Zator in 2017Lauren Teel in 2017The Vesna Duo in 2022Louis Raymond-Kolker in 2024Mark Ford in 2023Julie Davila in 2019Kathryn Irwin in 2024Alexis C. Lamb in 2021Gwen Dease in 2017Casey Cangelosi in 2017Kevin Bobo in 2017Victoria Sparks in 2018Other Links:Sean ClarkCavaliers 1995 DCI Show - “The Planets”Chad FloydPius CheungJeff AusdemoreSandi RennickGreg PowerMatthew HowardKenneth McGrathNancy ZeltsmanJi Hye JungGunne Sax clothesMoonrise Kingdom trailerThe Grand Budapest Hotel trailerThe Royal Tenenbaums trailerFantastic Mr. Fox trailerStar Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace trailerTo Kill a Mockingbird - Harper LeeBraiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall KimmererDashner Design and RestorationThe Crocodile HunterH-E-B Tres Leches CakeTIERRAS South Texas Percussion Competition2019 Blue Coats WarmupRaves:Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen - Michel ChionReel Music: Exploring 100 Years of Film Music - Roger Hickman
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 494 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 1)
May 7Tap to summarizeEpisode 494 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 1) Pete's Percussion Podcast California State University – Bakersfield and Bakersfield College Percussion Professor Genevieve Hilburn stops by to talk about her teaching at both schools (04:20), the influence of DCI and WGI on teaching in California schools and the challenges of teaching in the performing arts (15:00), getting into the WGI judging circuit, her work with the Percussive Arts Society and her freelancing career (29:45), growing up in Southern California, her early years in music, and her time in the Girl Scouts (49:40), and her time in undergrad at the CSU – Northridge (01:01:50).Finishing with a Rave on a recent performance with the Missouri Symphony on their “Best of Broadway” concert (01:08:00).Genevieve Hilburn links:Genevieve Hilburn’s Bakersfield College pagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Britton-René Collins in 2023Brian Zator in 2017Lauren Teel in 2017The Vesna Duo in 2022Louis Raymond-Kolker in 2024Other Links:James Logan Band and Color GuardSandi RennickJeff AusdemoreDavid WalkerJohn Luther AdamsKai StrobelJohn MagnussenAaron SmithRaves:The Missouri Symphony Orchestra
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 493 - Jenna Duranko
Apr 30Tap to summarizeEpisode 493 - Jenna Duranko Pete's Percussion Podcast Maryland-based Freelancing Percussionist, Recording Artist, Composer, Author and Admissions Counselor Jenna Duranko stops by to talk about her career, her seminary studies, playing in senior-living spaces, and her recent album Mosaic (04:20), growing up in Frederick (MD), her early musical background in choir, piano and French horn, and her time in the girl scouts (24:00), attending Radford University (VA) for undergrad, recent podcast guest Meridythe Witt, becoming a percussion major and starting from scratch, and majoring in Music Business (34:20), her 7 years working in radio, creating a career through solo marimba performance, how the pandemic changed her career and called her towards ministry, and her current composition project (53:40), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on why musicians always need to be paid, Tervis Tumblers, the band B*Witched, The Pittsburgh Steelers, library work, Macado’s Restaurant, and the Artemis II (01:12:40).Finishing with a Rave on Pete’s experiences with the 2026 Missouri Day of Percussion and co-leading the Mass Steel Band (01:38:15).Jenna Duranko links:Jenna Duranko’s Facebook pageJenna Duranko’s Instagram pageMosaic - Jenna DurankoPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Meridythe Witt in 2026Jeff Calissi in 2017Megan Arns in 2017Emily Lemmermann in 2019Brian Zator in 2017Connor Viets in 2024Other Links:Robert SanderlLancaster Theological SeminaryPreaching and Music - Catherine Williams“Michi” - Keiko Abe“Wind in the Bamboo Grove” - Keiko AbeTaubmann Museum of ArtNational Ovarian Cancer CoalitionRizpahB*WitchedTervis TumblersThe Legend of Bagger Vance trailerGone with the Wind trailerThe Giver - Lois LowryBen Roethlisberger highlightsAaron Rodgers highlightsMike TomlinMacado’sHighlander PizzaRaves:2026 Missouri Day of Percussion
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 492: Caitlin Cawley
Apr 23Tap to summarizeEpisode 492 - Caitlin Cawley Pete's Percussion Podcast New York City-based Freelancing Percussionist, Teacher and Composer Caitlin Cawley stops by to talk about her professional life and her work with the percussion groups Talujon and Mantra Percussion (04:20), growing up on Long Island, her musical beginnings, and her time in the Juilliard pre-college program (22:00), attending Boston University and Manhattan School of Music for her undergrad and grad career, and how the pandemic and a health scare changed the scope of her percussion future (47:40), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including discussions of her experiences in the percussion world as a woman, great science-fiction books and series, New York Pizza, the New York Rangers, great visual art, and KPOP Demon Hunters (01:17:20).Finishing with a Rave on the 2025 documentary film Thank You Very Much (01:44:40).Caitlin Cawley Links: Caitlin Cawley’s websiteTalujonMantra PercussionPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Mika Godbole in 2026Ian Antonio in 2023Maria Finkelmeier in 2018Pablo Rieppi in 2024Other Links:Bash the TrashGreg JukesThe Spence SchoolBrass QueensDewa AlitLa MamaMichael LipseyDavid CossinChristopher Graham“Get Off of My Cloud” - The Rolling Stones“Honky Tonk Women” - The Rolling Stones“Sonic Meditation 1” - Pauline OliverosHypermobilityJonathan HaasGreg GiannascoliSam SolomonTim GenisMatthew PellegrinoThe Fifth Element trailerWhiplash trailerThe Great Cities - NK JemisinThe Dune Series - Frank HerbertUrsula K. Le GuinThe Daevabad Trilogy - S.A. ChakrabortyThe Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. ChakrabortyEmpire AI - Karen HaoR.F. KuangKatie LedeckyNew York Rangers 1994 Stanley CupJoe and Sal’s PizzaKPop Demon Hunters trailerRaves:Thank You Very Much trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 491 - Bob McCormick
Apr 16Tap to summarizeEpisode 491 - Bob McCormick Pete's Percussion Podcast Current Tampa-based Percussion Freelancer and Educator and Retired Director of Percussion Studies at the University of South Florida Bob McCormick stops by to talk about his current life and how he stays healthy (03:40), growing up in Cleveland and Southern California, his early musical influences and his time in undergrad (10:55), his work with the Army band and getting his master’s degree (27:30), his year of playing in Harry Partch’s Ensemble (36:15), teaching briefly at Florida State University before heading to USF, building the program there, literature choices in the early years, and the importance of investing in recordings (45:00), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including his feelings on current percussion literature, the PASIC New Music/Research Day, the musical landscape during the first half of the 20th century, Tony Cirone’s “Symphony Special”, and so much more! (01:19:20)Finishing with a Rave about Pete performing How to Train Your Dragon live in concert with the Missouri Symphony (01:39:05).Bob McCormick Links:McCormick Percussion Group HomepagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Lee Hinkle in 2026Kevin von Kampen in 2024Neil Grover in 2023Jeff Moore in 2023Andrea Venet in 2018Chrissie Souza in 2024Sarah Hasekamp in 2024Other Links:Harry PartchDanlee MitchellTony CironeGene KrupaBuddy RichForrest Clark“Zyklus” - Karlheinz StockhausenTom SiwePaul PriceNancy ZeltsmanLeigh Howard StevensEmil RichardsVic Firth“Canaries” - Elliott CarterEd ThigpenLarry AustinStuart Saunders SmithThad AndersonSvet Stoyanov“Synchronisms No. 5” - Mario Davidovsky“Marimbastuck” - Maki IshiiPayton MacDonaldBaljinder SekhonMichael Colgrass2001: A Space Odyssey trailerThe Sound of Music trailerArtful Noise - Tom SiweThe Rest is Noise - Alex RossPierrot lunaire - Arnold SchoenbergWozzeck - Alban BergRaves:How to Train Your Dragon in Concert
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