Master Classes

School Programs

Team Building

“The influence of drumming styles and world music from India to Brazil give John Arrucci’s compositions their color, his playing, it’s fervency and his educational presentations their scope. Many percussionists today may show a hint of world-drumming vocabulary in their writing, teaching and performance, but John Arrucci speaks the language. His down-to-earth and approachable style makes his sessions highly inspirational as well as educational.”

Christopher Lamb, Principal Percussion, New York Philharmonic

“Aside from his excellent playing, John was able to draw on his extensive travels to present and very articulately link aspects of Indian, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban cultures and music.”

Eric Charlston, Co-chair, Percussion Dept, Manhattan School of Music, N.Y. Studios and Broadway, Regular guest, New York Philharmonic

“…John has an enthusiasm for and a love of music that is infectious to his fellow performers and the audience.” 

Penna Rose, Director of Chapel Music, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.

“Almost immediately, he gained a reputation as the campus drum guru.”

Philippe de Pontet, The Daily Princetonian, Princeton, N.J.

“John is an excellent teacher…he worked with me on issues of notation in 20th century percussion music.”

David Clayman, Composer/PHD candidate, Princeton University

"His creative approach cuts no intellectual or spiritual corner."

Hal Taussig, Visiting professor of New Testament, Union Theological Seminary

Mr. Arrucci is available for master classes on a variety of subjects related to percussion and composition. His classes have been presented at top institutions of learning around the world including:

 - Princeton University Atalier with author Toni Morrison, composer Stewart Wallace and percussionists Evelyn Glennie, Glen Velez, Nancy Zeltzman and Jonathan Hass

- Manhattan School of Music

- Mannes College of Music

- Eastman School of Music

- Federal University of Bahia (Brazil)

- Wichita State University

- University of Colorado at Boulder

- Lehman College

- Union Theological Seminary

- Princeton Theological Seminary

- Westchester Community  College

- Duchess Community College

- Union College (Schenectady)

- Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre

-  Presbyterian Choir School of New Canaan

- Symposium on “Sacred Spontaneity” with quantum physicist Michio Kaku and author Roger Lipsey

- Boscobel Shakespeare festival (youth program)

- The Alvin Ailey School.

His most popular master classes are:

• The Art of Shekere

• Traditions and Innovations: Exploring the common elements of diverse world drumming practices

• Afro-Brazilian Percussion

• Conga: Technique and Repertoire

• Techniques and notational systems of western and world percussion instruments (for Composers)

Please contact jarrucci@comcast.net for more information on Master Classes

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© 2005 John Arrucci