Thomas Schmidt

"Students of music during their college years must learn how to build a solid foundation for their professional aspirations. This means they should master the essentials before being challenged with more complicated solos and excerpts."

"Students may think that mastering advanced music is the key to success. It is true that being able to proficiently play complex and challenging music is important. But this should not overshadow the need to learn skills like blending into an ensemble, having a palette of varying tones to choose from for a given situation, having a mastery of the accessory instruments, playing with a great feel, and possessing a humble attitude. In reality, these are the skills required to build a successful career as a professional percussionist in today’s complex musical world."

"Mastering the notes of a particular solo or excerpt is critical; yet equally critical is understanding the style, orchestration, and history of the music played. Spending significant time practicing as well as pondering how these elements combine with one’s life and musical experience will inform the phrasing and overall performance of a work."