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:

Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:

Lee Hinkle in 2026

Kevin von Kampen in 2024

Neil Grover in 2023

Jeff Moore in 2023

Andrea Venet in 2018

Chrissie Souza in 2024

Sarah Hasekamp in 2024

Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 491 - Bob McCormick