Tom Gasparrini, Omi Batan join United 2017 Staff
Additional preparations are underway to continue to make United Percussion's 15th season it's best to come. We couldn't be more enthused to announce more key additions to our 2017 staff.
TOM GASPARRINI
VISUAL CHOREOGRAPHY DESIGN AND PROGRAM CONSULTANT
Tom Gasparrini is an in-demand instructor, consultant, and arranger in the marching percussion world. Currently he serves as the Battery Coordinator at The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio, and as the Director of Percussion for Bellbrook High School. Additionally, Tom is the Program Coordinator and Battery Arranger at European X of Hilversum, The Netherlands.
He frequently teaches internationally, having traveled to destinations such as Costa Rica, Lithuania, Canada, and The Netherlands. Recently, Tom has also travelled to Seoul, South Korea and San Francisco to perform with the Tony© and Emmy© award-winning production Blast!. Tom exclusively uses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Evans Drumheads.
OMI BATAN
SNARE TECHNICIAN
Omi is excited to join the United Percussion staff as a snare tech this coming season. Omi's background includes marching with The University of Connecticut, The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps, The Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps and aging out with The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2011. Omi also marched with United Percussion in 2012 on snare drum. He has taught at various organizations including Fusion Core Drum and Bugle Corps in the DCA circuit, and with various high school and college percussion programs including Norwalk High School, Stamford High School and the University of New Haven Marching Band where he was the Assistant Director and Battery Arranger. Most recently, Omi was the snare tech for Cadets Winter Percussion in 2015 and 2016. You can learn more about Omi here.
“We are extremely proud to be able to have former members such as Tom and Omi give back to the membership of United Percussion. Tom’s extensive experience performing and teaching at the highest levels of our activity will help us achieve new levels from a design perspective. Omi’s experience in front of and in some of the best outdoor and indoor ensembles along with our current team will prove to be something to watch this upcoming season.”
2017 Audition Information
Our 2017 first audition day is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 18th. Exact location (Philadelphia area) and times will be announced at a later date. Our comprehensive audition page and materials will be available for download on this website shortly.
In the meantime, if you're interested in being a part of #UP17, join our Facebook Interest group here. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements leading into auditions.