| Urban Percussion |
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Lessons
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Mission statement:
To empower students of all levels, through an inspirational approach, to learn the art of music through drums and percussion. Derrick has been playing and teaching the art of drumming for 25 years. He has refined his teaching skills throughout his career to suit the needs of all kinds of students, from beginner to advanced, from young to not-so-young. If you are an adult who is contemplating learning an instrument there is good news. Click to hear National Public Radio's story Never too late to learn and Instrument . Playing and teaching drums and percussion has been the primary focus of Derrick's professional career. Whether you are a complete beginner or a pro looking to get to the next level, I would be more than happy to discuss your options in regards to studying with me. I usually take students from age 7 and up but am willing to explore the possibility of teaching younger students. Lessons may include assessment, video and audio recording, 'active listening' and performance opportunities. Lessons are taught in my private teaching studio at 2752 Bryant Ave. S. in South Minneapolis, MN. The studio is spacious and offers a comfortable environment in which to focus on learning the art of drumming. There is a comfortable waiting area complete with chairs, practice pad, and enough reading materials to satisfy your percussive palette. I teach many styles of drumming including: Jazz (Combo and Big Band) Rock (many styles) Latin (Bossa Nova, Samba, Mozambique, Afro-Cuban, etc.) Funk Fusion "World Grooves" Concert Percussion Marching Percussion Rudimental Studies Chart Reading Theory Playing to loops, backing tracks, samples Hand Percussion (Congas, Bongos, Djembe, etc.) School band preparation programs |
Prices and Policies
Free Lessons! – I always welcome new students and you can benefit from each referral! For every student that you (parents or students) refer to me who signs up for 8 lessons or more, I will give you two free lessons in the following month. If you refer 10 students while you’re taking lessons with me, I will buy you a new Pacific Maple Piccolo Snare Drum (or something you want of equal or lesser value)! Just tell the prospective student (or parent) to let me know that you sent them. THANK YOU!
Length and Prices – I offer the following options for lessons:
During the school year:
Monthly tuition
(due at the first lesson of each calendar month)
30 minutes for $25
45 minutes for $35
60 minutes for $45
Pay per lesson
(may be paid in advance or at each lesson)
30 minutes for $35
45 minutes for $50
60 minutes for $65
Summer – June 1 - August 31
(may be paid in-full at the beginning of the summer or at the first lesson of each calendar month)
10 lessons or more: 30 minutes for $25
6 to 9 lessons: 30 minutes for $30
1 to 5 lessons: 30 minutes for $40
*Lessons longer than ½ hour will be pro-rated at the same hourly rate.
*The option to have lessons every other week is also available for an extra $5 per lesson. This option is not preferred because weekly reinforcement of the material covered dramatically increases the learning curve.
*Unless otherwise stated, all payments are due on the first lesson of each month.
Cancellations
If I have to cancel a lesson and we can’t find a make-up time, it will be taken off the following month’s tuition. I will try to give you as much notice as possible if I have to cancel or reschedule.
We will not have lessons on most common holidays.
If you have to cancel a lesson for any reason, you will be charged for the lesson. If you want to reschedule the lesson for a different time or day that week, I will be more than happy to try to accommodate you at no additional cost. Please let me know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule the lesson so that we have a better chance at finding a make-up time. This is also a courtesy to other students who may want to reschedule.
If you are canceling for 2 or more weeks you will pay 1/2 price per week so that you’re not paying full price but can still hold your time slot.
During the summer months, cancellations are not a problem as long as you let me know at least 24 hours in advance and you stay within the number of lessons you sign up for at the beginning of the summer. If you call on the day of your lesson in the summer, you will still be charged for the lesson.
Please don’t abuse these concessions!!! Most teachers charge for the time missed and the re-scheduled lesson!
Things to Remember
Practice – Try to plan on practicing at least 2½ hours per week for every 30 minute lesson (or ½-hour each day for 5 days). I know life can get busy, so always try to squeeze in at least 10 minutes every day and make up the rest of the time on another day. Remember that practicing every day is the key to faster and better playing!
Punctuality – If you’re late, I can only guarantee you your time slot as often students are back to back. If I am running late, I will give you your scheduled amount of time or give you a free shortened lesson. To help keep things running on time, please ask any questions you may have at the beginning of your lesson.
Etiquette – In your lesson, please try to refrain from playing while something is being explained or shown to you. It’s easy to miss things and also hard to hear, you never know when some little detail will really help you improve. We only have a small amount of time, let’s make the most of it!
Music Listening – Listening is a very important part of music, try to listen to as many styles of music as possible! To help with this, students may borrow music from my CD library (which is posted on the bulletin board). Your public library is another great resource for free music! One of the best ways to “practice” listening to music is to go to live performances. Try to see as many as you can because you will always go away with new ideas or new things you will want to try playing. I cannot overestimate the importance of the inspiration one receives when witnessing a good live performance!
Discography – If you would like to hear some of my playing you can hear some samples on this website. If you would like to purchase any CD’s, they are available directly from me, on iTunes, and in some local music stores.
Canceling Lessons – If you decide to take a break from lessons or just decide to stop, please give a minimum of one month’s notice. This is to ensure that I can give sufficient notice if another student is waiting to get a different time or to start lessons.
*Please Note – It is understood that the student and/or parent/legal guardian assumes all liability for any physical hardships resulting from the study of drumming. Although it is very rare to experience such hardships, as in the case of any physical activity there is always a risk of injury involved.
Thank You For Your Patronage!
Length and Prices – I offer the following options for lessons:
During the school year:
Monthly tuition
(due at the first lesson of each calendar month)
30 minutes for $25
45 minutes for $35
60 minutes for $45
Pay per lesson
(may be paid in advance or at each lesson)
30 minutes for $35
45 minutes for $50
60 minutes for $65
Summer – June 1 - August 31
(may be paid in-full at the beginning of the summer or at the first lesson of each calendar month)
10 lessons or more: 30 minutes for $25
6 to 9 lessons: 30 minutes for $30
1 to 5 lessons: 30 minutes for $40
*Lessons longer than ½ hour will be pro-rated at the same hourly rate.
*The option to have lessons every other week is also available for an extra $5 per lesson. This option is not preferred because weekly reinforcement of the material covered dramatically increases the learning curve.
*Unless otherwise stated, all payments are due on the first lesson of each month.
Cancellations
If I have to cancel a lesson and we can’t find a make-up time, it will be taken off the following month’s tuition. I will try to give you as much notice as possible if I have to cancel or reschedule.
We will not have lessons on most common holidays.
If you have to cancel a lesson for any reason, you will be charged for the lesson. If you want to reschedule the lesson for a different time or day that week, I will be more than happy to try to accommodate you at no additional cost. Please let me know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule the lesson so that we have a better chance at finding a make-up time. This is also a courtesy to other students who may want to reschedule.
If you are canceling for 2 or more weeks you will pay 1/2 price per week so that you’re not paying full price but can still hold your time slot.
During the summer months, cancellations are not a problem as long as you let me know at least 24 hours in advance and you stay within the number of lessons you sign up for at the beginning of the summer. If you call on the day of your lesson in the summer, you will still be charged for the lesson.
Please don’t abuse these concessions!!! Most teachers charge for the time missed and the re-scheduled lesson!
Things to Remember
Practice – Try to plan on practicing at least 2½ hours per week for every 30 minute lesson (or ½-hour each day for 5 days). I know life can get busy, so always try to squeeze in at least 10 minutes every day and make up the rest of the time on another day. Remember that practicing every day is the key to faster and better playing!
Punctuality – If you’re late, I can only guarantee you your time slot as often students are back to back. If I am running late, I will give you your scheduled amount of time or give you a free shortened lesson. To help keep things running on time, please ask any questions you may have at the beginning of your lesson.
Etiquette – In your lesson, please try to refrain from playing while something is being explained or shown to you. It’s easy to miss things and also hard to hear, you never know when some little detail will really help you improve. We only have a small amount of time, let’s make the most of it!
Music Listening – Listening is a very important part of music, try to listen to as many styles of music as possible! To help with this, students may borrow music from my CD library (which is posted on the bulletin board). Your public library is another great resource for free music! One of the best ways to “practice” listening to music is to go to live performances. Try to see as many as you can because you will always go away with new ideas or new things you will want to try playing. I cannot overestimate the importance of the inspiration one receives when witnessing a good live performance!
Discography – If you would like to hear some of my playing you can hear some samples on this website. If you would like to purchase any CD’s, they are available directly from me, on iTunes, and in some local music stores.
Canceling Lessons – If you decide to take a break from lessons or just decide to stop, please give a minimum of one month’s notice. This is to ensure that I can give sufficient notice if another student is waiting to get a different time or to start lessons.
*Please Note – It is understood that the student and/or parent/legal guardian assumes all liability for any physical hardships resulting from the study of drumming. Although it is very rare to experience such hardships, as in the case of any physical activity there is always a risk of injury involved.
Thank You For Your Patronage!
Instructor Bio.
Derrick Raiter started his drumming career in St. Cloud, Minnesota and went on to get his Bachelors of Music from St. Cloud State University studying a wide variety of percussion instruments. Since then he has been performing and recording with artists including Whiskey Plates, Fade 2 Shade, T.M.I. Jazz Quartet, Work In Progress, Dennis Warner, Fyder and Everhardt, Geoff Elvee, Josh Yeoh, and Darlyne Cain as well as the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, Minnesota Brass, and the St. Cloud and Rochester Symphonies. For a full list of performance and recording credits, please visit the Recording Bio. For the past 15+ years he has also been teaching percussion to individuals and groups of all ages and a variety of music styles.
Derrick is on the Vic Firth Educator's Team and a member of The Professional Drum Teachers Guild, as well as the Percussive Arts Society. He has had many students go on to perform professionally as well as play in various Drum Corps, receive scholarships at Colleges, and teach and perform around the globe.
He currently lives in the Minneapolis area where he continues to perform and record with some of the area's finest musicians.
If you want to know more about Derrick's credentials, keep scrolling down to see his Teaching Experience, Creative Contributions and Education.
Teaching Experience
He currently lives in the Minneapolis area where he continues to perform and record with some of the area's finest musicians.
If you want to know more about Derrick's credentials, keep scrolling down to see his Teaching Experience, Creative Contributions and Education.
Teaching Experience
- Private percussion lessons with hundreds of students of all ages
- Numerous Clinics with The RSVP, Conundrum!, Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and Minnesota Brass
- Master Classes at Breck School, Minneapolis, MN
- Master Classes at Southwest High School, Minneapolis, MN
- Southwest High School Summer Drum-line
- Group lessons at Hale Elementary School, Minneapolis, MN
- Group lessons at Breck School
- Bucket drumming groups at College Prep. Elementary in St. Paul, MN
- St. Cloud All-City High School Marching Band
- Founder of the St. Cloud All-City High School Winter Drum-line
- Becker High School Summer Drum-line
- Becker High School Winter Drum-line
- Blaine High School Fall Drum-line
- Co-Founder of the Henry Sibley High School Winter Drum-line
- Henry Sibley High School Fall Drum-line
- Henry Sibley High School Winter Drum-line
- Eden Prairie Summer Band Camp
- Minnetonka High School Master Classes
- Paynesville High School Summer Drum-line
- Paynesville High School Winter Program
- Litchfield High School Summer Drum-line
- Sartell High School Summer Drum-line
- Sartell Middle School Jazz Band
- Wrote, arranged and designed three complete nine-minute shows for the St. Cloud All-City High School Winter Drumline
- Wrote, arranged and designed one complete nine-minute show for the Becker High School Winter Drumline
- Wrote, arranged and designed half of a nine-minute show for the Henry Sibley High School Winter Drumline
- Written numerous cadences for several drumlines
- Arranged numerous pieces for summer and fall marching bands
- Commissioned to arrange a Christmas percussion ensemble piece for Paynesville High School
- Commissioned to write one drumset solo
- Taught over 100 young people, ages 12 – 18, who have never had any experience playing percussion, to become true percussionists for all drum-lines listed
- Composed and arranged warm-up books for numerous drum-lines
- Wrote and Performed original works for T.M.I. Jazz Quartet
- Wrote and Performed original works for ConunDrum!
- Wrote and performed original works for Fade 2 Shade
- Wrote and performed original works for Work In Progress
- Graduate with Honors from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelors of Music Degree in Percussion Performance, under the direction of Dr. Terry Vermillion / Head of Percussion
- Two years under Jay O’Donnel - drummer for “Slip Twister”, “Deep Seven” and “Fabulous Armadillos” (Drumset)
- One year under Billy Thomas - drummer for Johnny Lang (drumset)
- Three years under Jerry Carpenter and Michael McCray (marching percussion)
- Seven+ years as part-time instrument repairman for Cadenza Music, specializing in Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion under Jean Carey
- Five years as part-time instrument repairman for Sir James Repair, specializing in Brass and Percussion under Jim Thomas
- Three years under the direction of Mr. Gary Zwack (percussion)
- One summer each with Tomas Clour, Amy Schmidtbaur and Barry Peterson (marching percussion)
- Numerous Master Classes, Clinics and Workshops
The Studio
