KOSA ITALY 2012 – LET THE MUSIC SPEAK

When we talk about KoSA, we talk, first of all, about a Great Event.

An event that encompasses 360-degree music in a mode almost not at all experienced in Italy. A real Campus run the American way where you are to learn, teach and exchange ideas. It is the concept behind it that fascinates: not a simple masterclass, clinic or seminar, but an intensive, didactic and full-time musical involvement, which conveys a huge amount of information. In short, a real growth path.

This year KoSA was again hosted at the GM DRUM SCHOOL on 21, 22 and 23 April: to master Mr Aldo Mazza (Percussionist and Didatta world famous, Director of the KoSA Campus International) assisted by Mr Sergio Bellotti (Teacher at Berklee College of Music and Master of the Groove Course at Gm Drum School), by Gigi Morello (President of GM Drum School and Didatta of National Renown), by online seminarians Mr Ndugu Chancler (Internationally renowned Session Man) and Mr John Riley (one of the best-known Jazz drums on the world "The Sessions" collective, led by Mrs Jules Follett, with such outstanding figures as Mr Dom Famularo (internationally renowned didatta), Mr Liberty Devitto (historical rock'n'roll drummer Billy Joel), Mrs Sue Quin ( Vocalist and English Didatta), Mr Paul Quin (Lawyer specializing in Music Law) and Mr Joe Hibbs (International Music Manager).

It is very difficult to enclose these days so full and intense in a few lines, two books would not be enough to tell all that has been taught.

Let's try!

The main protagonist is the music, it starts from this, the concept of Music- Life; we do not talk about technique or sulpmy but we talk about exposing and bringing out our internal melody, opening our minds to other musical peculiarities that are alien to us, assimilate them, make them ourown and bring them back to the outside world.

The techniques that are explained are only a mere means of execution, but it all starts from the mind, from how much more music we have metabolized and how much we still have to know. Quoting Mr. Bellotti ,"The Arts are stupid," it's true, it's the Mind that controls them.

The Campus begins with a presentation of the course in the frame of batteries surrounded by congas, timbales, cowbell bongos and percussion of all kinds.

Then the actual campus starts, in separate classrooms where the Masters give different lessons, from the different musical styles to the correct technique to use.

Mr. Aldo Mazza concentrates his teaching on percussion, exposing the various modes of writing and technique that we could use if we found ourselves playing with buena Vista Social Club, retracing the concept of the "Clave", the hidden key that runs the whole track, the constant reference, present in any piece of music.

Mr. Bellotti uses his strength that is the "Groove", the interpretation of it, understand and conceive the music around us and create our style above it.

Mr Gigi Morello holds a clinic based on the use of the Ableton Live Music program for the ampilification and processing of real-time drum sounds. An innovative system that replaces the classic triggers and achieves unique sounds using only the acoustic sound of the instrument.

In addition to the Masters physically present, live online didactics from Los Angeles and New York: Mr. Ndugu Chancler and Mr. John Riley.

Mr Chancler, among the most acclaimed Session Man, eclectic drummer of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean" and the Weather Report and beyond, teaches speed memorization, groove control and how to color a groove using the same instrument, hi hat snare etc. , so that they look like different tools.

Mr Riley, world-renowned Jazz Teacher teaches multiple interpretations of Jazz and Funk using Ted Reed's Book "Syncopation"." His explanations are applied to the snare drum, rhythms and as articulated fills on the drum set.

Extremely interesting and that literally caught the attention of the public was the whole day of Monday with Sticks and Skins "The Sessions".

This Project is the brainchild of Mrs Jules Follett, an exceptional music photographer who publishes the book of the same name, a collection of 516 drummers photographed artfully to paint the human side. Thanks to the successful edition of this book, the idea of involving drummers and musicians in general starts through targeted conferences that combine the business with the musical and artistic factor in general.

A diverse, representative and exceptional team:

The Didatta, Mr Dom Famularo, perhaps the best-known drum teacher in the world; the Musician, Mr Liberty Devitto, historical drummer of Billy Joel; the Music Advocate, Mr Paul Quin, flanked by his sister Sue, Professional Singer, Manager Mr Joe Hibbs, Head of a large multinational musical instruments company.

During the Day, which began with a television interview with the Team curated by Mr Cristiano Tassinari of Quartarete TV, continued with discussions on heartfelt topics and culminating with cured meats, cheeses and wine seasoned by Jam Session on fire, there is no shortage of dedicated parts personal motivation, the signing of music contracts, the promotion and behaviour of a musician who wants to establish himself.

The members of "Sticks and Skins, The Sessions" take turns on the podium explaining a very complete path that sifts through all aspects from the formation of a musician to the personal presentation of his products using the channels currently available worldwide.

The evening also features a video link to Lehman College in New York, where the well-known teacher Allan Molnar, along with some of the school's students, participates in the debate with members of Sticks & Skins and the public.

In the end a Jam Session that sees international artists mingle with students, teachers and participants in the name of good music.

Never before had there been such a high-quality musical event and emotional involvement. Those who weren't there really missed something unique.

The atmosphere created in these three days was electrifying, we found ourselves thrown headlong into a vortex of emotions and sensations that a musician would like to experience every day.

The only advice you can give for next year is to repeat it in the same way!

This incredible event will surely become a very important cornerstone for the Teaching of Battery and Music in Italy.

KoSA Italia is a personal, musical and spiritual extension without borders in which all musicians, without exclusion, should participate. But not for themselves, for all the other students and musicians who will be born to whom we could pass on the great teachings that have been given to us.

Let the Music Speak

Franz Balzarro & Franca Converso

Press & Public Relations GM Drum School

 EVENT PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Thanks

• CRISTIANO TASSINARI OF FOURTH TV NETWORK

A special thank you goes to the staff of GM Drum School, without which the event would not have been possible:

• GIGI MORELLO: PRESIDENT

• ENRICO CAMPO AS DIRECTOR

• FRANCO STELLA: VICE PRESIDENT

• CONVERSE FRANCA: PUBLIC RELATIONS

• FRANZ BALZARRO: OFFICE STAMPA

• PAOLO PAVAN AS PHOTOGRAPHER

• RAPHAEL SAINI: DIRECTOR GM SARDEGNA

• CRISTIANO COURAGE: DIRECTOR GM LAZIO

• MAURO GATTO AS DIRECTOR GM VENETO

• MARK BONFRY AS GM EMILIA DIRECTOR

In addition, thanks are given to the musical instrument companies that participated in the event with instrumentation and material:

• VIBE DRUM (IN THE PEOPLE OF PAOLO ZUFFI AND DANIELE "THE RED" COLANGELI) FOR THE BATTERIE

• CASAL BAUER FOR BRANDS AND LP AND MAPEX STRUMENTS
  ARAMINI FOR THE MARKS AND THE LUDWIG, VIC FIRTH AND REMO STRUMENTS

• FBT FOR SABIAN DISHES

• FOIP FOR PIATTI

• BODE SRL FOR EVANS PELLI AND TRICK PEDALS

• YAMAHA ITALIA FOR BATTERY

• ZILDJIAN FOR PIATTI