Can you explain your grading system since there are many out there?
We have two grading systems, one for drumline and one for everything else. Our drumline grades are described below. For everything else, we attempt to grade on what an average student would be capable of playing based on our experiences teaching. We use two school grades per level. There may be parts on an ensemble that fall below the grade given, however there won't be parts more difficult.
Grade 1 = 5th-6th grade
Grade 2 = 7th-8th
Grade 3 = 9th-10th
Grade 4 = 11th-12th
Grade 5 = Fr.-So. College
Grade 6 = Jr.-Sr. College

How do your drumline grades differ?
Our drumline features are graded by difficulty not by age level. A drumline grade 1 is much more difficult than a grade 1 ensemble. Since drumline typically starts with 9th graders, our drumline grades start at the level.

How did you record your literature?
With a lot of hard work and studio time. Our recordings are a combination of live performances and sequences. It's not something we'd recommend trying on your own because of the time and cost involved, even though it would be a lot of fun.

Can your pieces be performed with smaller instrumentation or without pan parts?
Yes. We have many of the marimba parts grouped so they will fit on one instrument. Check the grouping listing to see if it can be done with less instruments. Pan parts can be played on a different instrument or eliminated without losing a significant melodic line.

What are the ranges of the marimba parts?
Our Grade 1-2 titles use low C marimbas. Grade 3-4 Low A (some titles have optional notes below A if you have the range). Grade 5-6 can go as low as C depending on the title.

Why did we develop drop6 media, Inc.?
As a group of educators, we were constantly searching for new and challenging arrangements for our own percussion groups. We quickly realized that there was a lack of fresh material available, so we began arranging select pieces for ourselves. As our colleagues heard the arrangements at festivals, concerts, and conventions they began to request copies for their own ensembles. With that encouragement, we have initiated drop6 media, which will publish arrangements we have done through the years, along with totally new material.

What does drop6 media, Inc. wish to provide its customers?

New and challenging arrangements for a variety of instrumentation.

Standard pieces from the core repertoire.

Information and resources for percussion instruction, methods, and technique.

The ability to preview scores online.

An opportunity to publish new arrangements.

Local and international ordering online, fax or toll free.

Dr. Robert Schietroma, President

 

Dr. Robert Schietroma is currently a Regents professor at the University of North Texas after serving as Coordinator of Percussion from 1977 to 1999. While heading the UNT percussion department, he developed an internationally recognized program offering a myriad of percussion opportunities. Schietroma's innovative courses such as Percussion Pedagogy and Percussion MIDI Systems, have become curriculum models for numerous major universities, while his ensembles have been widely recognized for their excellence in all genres. Along with the traditional ensembles, Schietroma was influential in bringing World Music to the standard collegiate percussion ensemble program. His first hand knowledge of cultural influences and native performance practice helped the program earn a reputation for quality and authenticity. Some of the World Music ensembles include the Caribbean Steel Band, Thai Gamelan, Javanese Gamelan, West African ensemble, and East African Amadinda ensemble. Schietroma's traditional ensembles include the Ragtime Marimba ensemble and the North Texas Drumline, which has won the National Collegiate Marching Percussion Competition eleven times.

 

In addition to teaching, judging, and consulting, Schietroma maintains an active performance schedule. He has toured with Warner Brothers Bugs on Broadway orchestra since 1998, and performs with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and the Dallas Summer Musicals. He has released a DCI Marching Percussion video and has produced several highly-regarded CD's with the UNT ensembles. Dr. Schietroma has also written instructional textbooks and chamber pieces published by Music for Percussion, Seesaw Press, and RonJon Publishing.

 

Schietroma's professional affiliations include ASCAP, American Federation of Musicians, and Percussive Arts Society where he served as President from 1991 to 1992. While serving as President, Schietroma led the efforts to construct the PAS Hall of Fame Museum and Office Complex. With colleagues all over the world soliciting his help and advice, Schietroma remains active as a clinician/consultant. The founding of drop6 media continues his dedication to music education and the musical experience of all percussionists.

 

Shawn Schietroma, Vice President

 

Shawn Schietroma has been active in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as a teacher, arranger, adjudicator, and performer for 15 years. He is currently a clinician for the Vic Firth education team, and has arranged for and instructed The Colony High School (Tx.), Plano Senior High School (Tx.), the University of North Texas Drumline, and the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps.

 

Schietroma's groups have been widely recognized for their innovative approach to traditional percussion performance, freely incorporating styles and techniques from around the world. Through Schietroma's leadership, the Plano Senior High School Drumline received first place at the 1998 Percussive Arts Society Drumline Championship in Orlando, Florida. Schietroma also initiated the annual Plano Drumline Competition, which featured high school lines throughout the Southwest.

 

Along with drumline events, Schietroma maintained an active percussion ensemble program in Plano, including solo recitals and guest artist concerts. Among the artists featured were Phillip "Fish" Fisher of Fishbone, and Earl Harvin of "Seal".

 

In addition to his work in Plano, Schietroma has served as camp director for the University of North Texas Drumline Camp for the past 6 years. He has also performed with the Dallas Summer Musicals, Fort Worth Symphony, Richardson Symphony, Panhandlers Steel Band and Dallas Wind Symphony. Schietroma is currently adjunct faculty at Collin County Community College (Tx.), and Senior Manager of the Webh.com web design team.

 

Michael A. Hernandez, Operations Executive

 

Michael A. Hernandez is currently marching percussion coordinator for the Baylor University Golden Wave Band in Waco, Texas. Prior to his appointment at Baylor, Hernandez served as a private percussion instructor and drumline instructor in Plano, TX. While in Plano, Michael assisted the Plano Senior High Drumline and helped pioneer the Plano Middle School Drumline program made up of over 50 students from five schools.

 

He is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education degree at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, where he earned a BME degree under the direction of Dr. Robert Schietroma. His marching percussion experience includes the Sky Ryders and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and the University of North Texas Drumline.

 

Hernandez is active throughout the southwest as a consultant, drumline show designer, arranger and adjudicator. He has worked with the percussion programs of DeSoto (Tx.) High School, Newman Smith (Tx.) High School, and Plano West (Tx.) Sr. High School. Hernandez is also a coordinator of the University of North Texas Marching Percussion Camp.

 

As a professional musician, Hernandez has performed with the Dallas Wind Symphony and Richardson Symphony Orchestras. He was a member of the Desperadoes and Serenaders Traditional Steel Drum Bands in Trinidad and Tobago, and is currently a member of the Dallas-based Panhandlers Steel Drum Band.