Chester Thompson

From Jazz (Weather Report), to Rock (Frank Zappa and the Mothers), to Pop (Genesis/Phil Collins) to Gospel (Ron Kenoly), Chester Thompson has surpassed the boundaries of musical genres. Chester's performance and recording experiences have influenced over three decades of music and musicians. Whether he is playing drum kit or percussion, Chester's masterful subtleties and unyielding time create the firm musical foundation for any musical genre. Every time Chester plays he gives 110% - there is no such thing as practice.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Chester started playing in local nightclubs at age 13. He has spent extended periods of time in various musical centers including Los Angeles, CA and London. After a heavy touring schedule in the 1970s, 80s and 1990s, Chester and his family now call Nashville, TN home. Keeping extremely busy with live performances, studio recordings, clinics and writing, Chester's Nashville residence has also afforded him more time to invest in students. On faculty at Belmont University since 1998, Chester teaches applied drum lessons and directs a jazz ensemble. Known for his exceptional teaching style and zeal for music, Chester is a favorite among students and fellow colleagues. His album, Joyful Noise, was first released in 1991. He has released a DVD of a performance at the 2003 Paderborn Drum Festival entitled "On the Fly" and another DVD with Luis Conte, "Drum Talk, El Habla Tabor". 
                                        From www.chesterthompson.com
 

 Carol Johnson

An active and diverse educator and musician, Ms. Johnson regularly
teaches throughout Canada, the United States and Latin America to help
educate students and teachers in the areas of music, music pedagogy and
technology. Ms. Johnson's prior teaching experience includes various
academic and music performance disciplines with five years of teaching
at Belmont University (Nashville, TN), as well as teaching with Edmonton
Public Schools, Ellerslie Music School, and the North American Baptist
College. Ms. Johnson's performance and/or recording credits include Myron Floren, Clarence 'Big' Miller, Sherman Andrus, Roland Majeau, Wes Yaciuk, Wes
Caswell, Belmont Faculty members, and two Canadian- released
independent solo albums. In 2001, she was presented with the Outstanding Music Graduate Student award from Belmont University and was also inducted into Pi  Kappa Lambda in April of the same year. In 1998, Ms. Johnson was nominated  for 'Best Christian Artist of the Year' by the Alberta Recording Industry Association.

Ms. Johnson is currently working on her Doctorate of Music Arts in Music Education and has earned a Master of Music in Saxophone Pedagogy from
Belmont University and a Bachelor of Education in music from the  University
of Alberta in Canada. Her other studies have included the Taurenhof
Torchbearer Schule in Austria and a jazz saxophone diploma from Grant
MacEwan Community College in Alberta, Canada. Ms. Johnson has completed
private and/or masterclass studies under various musicians including
Chester Thompson, Jeff Kirk, Kirk Whalum, Joshua Redman, Bobby Shew, Rod
MaGaha, Ralph Bowen, and Lee Konitz.


Ms. Johnson is currently a SOCAN/BMI writer, and holds membership with
the American Federation of Musicians, IAJE, and Women in Higher Education
in Tennessee, and Pi Kappa Lambda. Her music books, such as, "Saxophone
Dexterity: A Practical Method for Developing Technique" published by  Alethia
Publications are available in English, Spanish and German at www.carolj.net.


 Jeff Reynolds

Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds is Assistant Co-ordinator of Performance at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto and conductor of the Symphonic Winds as well as instructor of trumpet, chamber music, jazz history and music education courses.  As a trumpeter he has performed and recorded with the Calgary Philharmonic, Hamilton Philharmonic, the Orchestra of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Hannaford Street Silver Band and the Stratford Festival Ensemble among others, as well as playing many theatre and commercial engagements.  He regularly conducts student, community and professional ensembles, including the Toronto District School Board High School Honour Band, the York Region Honour Band, and the Durham Schools Honour Band, as well as the Southampton Festival Winds.  He received his Ph. D. from the University of Toronto, after degrees from York University, the University of Calgary and the University of Victoria. Dr. Reynolds is a founding member of the Canadian Wind Band Repertoire Project, and is active as a guest conductor, clinician, journal contributor and adjudicator across the country.

 Peter Stoll

Peter Stoll teaches at the University of Toronto and is a member of the Toronto Philharmonia orchestra. A frequent and popular adjudicator of bands, orchestras, solos and ensembles, he has worked across Canada and in the United States. Peter is particularly known for his enthusiasm, positive comments and detailed suggestions to young musicians.

Peter was a prizewinner in the International Clarinet Society Competition, and has been heard many times on CBC radio and been involved with several CD recordings.

First-Prize winner in chamber music in the Federation of Canadian Music Festivals National Finals, Peter was invited back for the Festival's 50th Anniversary in Winnipeg in 1999 both to adjudicate and perform as soloist in the Gala Celebration Concert. He has judged at the finals of four Provincial competitions, and this May will be a member of the jury for the prestigious Canadian Music Competitions.

Over the past few years Peter has been invited to adjudicate over 70 local festivals across Canada. Fluent in both official languages, he has heard countless bands, orchestras, and woodwind, brass and percussion solos and ensembles coast-to-coast. Peter has also worked for US music festivals and at the Ontario Band Association's annual Music Week. In addition he serves as a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music's National College of Examiners
                     

                                             (festival sponsor)

Honorary Chairperson - Chris Kimmerer

     

I was born in Canada, in a suburb of Toronto. I have a great family, and a great group of supporters. I began playing the drums in elementary school, just before the 5th grade. I began playing in preparation for the Immanuel Christian School 5th grade band. I knew I had to play the drums. I'm not sure how or why, but it was never an option. It’s inside me.

As soon as I hit the 5th grade band, I was bumped into the ICS Senior Band. We would do little week-long tours around the area. I think we even recorded somewhere. Good times for sure. All of this was under the direction of Dennis Ullman. He has been a huge influence on my development as a musician.  

I continued to work in Dennis’ bands through my high school career at Durham Christian High School. Up to this point, I had been studying privately with a local drum genius, Thom Krane. Thom is another individual who helped my development in huge ways. Through high school, I began studying jazz with Ian Duncan- an individual whose musicality and perpetual growth frightens me! Studying with Ian was paramount for learning important lessons, like how to swing.

I graduated high school after three years. Made the move to downtown Toronto. I was 17, and living on my own. The city was mine!! I was studying jazz at Humber College. It was a huge time of growth for me as a drummer, but also as a musician. I studied privately with Roger Flock and the wonderful Paul DeLong. I played in the ensembles of Roger Flock, Ted Quinlan, and Brian O’Kane. Studying jazz was huge for me, though my goal has always been pop music.

After two years at Humber, I felt that the move to Nashville was the next step for my development. I talked with a friend, Will Denton (who plays drums for Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Schultz, Erin O’Donnell, and Nichole Nordeman), who encouraged me to check out Belmont University. So that was it. In August of 2003, I moved to Nashville.

I spend a lot of time developing my playing, but also developing my ears. Nashville is a different beast in terms of its standard music.  I love it here. I feel at home.  Check out my webite at www.drummerer.tk