Michael MacCourt
Now in its 3rd year, hosted by Matt Green from the UK National Drum Fair, a monthly drum clinic invites some of the UK’s top drumming talent to perform in The Palace Studio. The clinics are interactive, inspirational and educational. There is also the opportunity for a deserving local player every month to join the clinic via an open audition held a few weeks before. So whether you are a student, amateur or playing regularly in a band and would like the chance of playing with some of the country’s leading drummers, please fill in the form on the ‘Apply to Play’ page. Michael first played the drums when he was given a toy drum kit at two years old. Since then, he has achieved his Grade 8 and has toured Worcestershire with Reggae, Punk and Jazz bands at venues such as Birmingham Town Hall. Michael loves to play swing/jazz, latin, funk and fusion, and has been influenced by many drummers, past and present, including Yussef Dayes and Mark Guiliana. Despite enjoying an eclectic mix of genres and the individual styles of particular drummers, Buddy Rich, Anika Nilles and Ulysses Owens Jr. all stand out as particular favourites. Michael is influenced by the styles of many different drummers, using those influences in his own playing. Through music and drumming specifically, he would love to travel the world and gain experience on cruise ships and at festivals like Glastonbury and Lollapalooza. He is currently part of the Royal Birmingham Junior Conservatoire Jazz department which is greatly developing his skills as a musician and a drummer. Buy tickets for £10
Artists
Michael MacCourt
Michael first played the drums when he was given a toy drum kit at two years old. Since then, he has achieved his Grade 8 and has toured Worcestershire with Reggae, Punk and Jazz bands at venues such as Birmingham Town Hall. Michael loves to play swing/jazz, latin, funk and fusion, and has been influenced by many drummers, past and present, including Yussef Dayes and Mark Guiliana. Despite enjoying an eclectic mix of genres and the individual styles of particular drummers, Buddy Rich, Anika Nilles and Ulysses Owens Jr. all stand out as particular favourites. Michael is influenced by the styles of many different drummers, using those influences in his own playing. Through music and drumming specifically, he would love to travel the world and gain experience on cruise ships and at festivals like Glastonbury and Lollapalooza. He is currently part of the Royal Birmingham Junior Conservatoire Jazz department which is greatly developing his skills as a musician and a drummer.
Matt Green
With over 25 years of professional performing and 20 years teaching, the PDC’s Matt Green has the experience and knowledge which is needed for every aspect of playing. Matt has extensive experience working as a performer and still actively performs in the orchestral, rock, pop, jazz and world music scene which has equipped him with the necessary skills and makes him one of the most versatile tutors around. Matt has the necessary experience to teach all levels and abilities having previously taught in many schools and colleges. With his many years of experience in percussion teaching, Matt has developed various methods that makes learning fun, exciting and inspiring. Matt Green began his musical training at the age of three. At sixteen he attended Colchester Institute School of Music to study A Levels and later a BA Hons Degree, on the way winning competitions for solo and ensemble playing. Matt obtained a place to study at Birmingham Conservatoire, where he gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Performance with Distinction. During his education, Matthew was a member of the Britten-Pears Orchestra for six seasons where he held the principal timpani chair for five of them. Being as prolific at the back of the orchestra as behind a drum kit, Matt is also in demand to perform with premier Big Bands and Jazz ensembles in and around the Midlands/London and in the studio recording for rock/pop artists. Matt is working extensively in the UK, Europe and further a field playing with such orchestras/ensembles as City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, C18th Concert Orchestra, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Birmingham Opera, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Armonico Consort, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Nash Ensemble, Endymion Ensemble, The Bach Choir to name a few. Theatre experience includes the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Globe, Talking Birds and West End productions Jesus Christ Superstar, Abba The Show and Thriller Live. Matt has a passion for world music which has lead him to work with such artists as Ravi Shankar, collaborating between Eastern and Western musicians, UK’s leading nasheed group SHAAM and on the west coast of Ireland’s folk scene. In 2016, Matt was invited to play at the Queen’s 90th Birthday Thanksgiving Service at St.Paul’s Cathedral. He is also in demand as a workshop leader allowing him to perform to audiences across Europe and beyond. Matt’s commitment to education has also led him to coach on many summer music courses and he continues to give drum clinics throughout the UK.