The Word 'Cool'

Hi:

What a terrific opportunity to share my background with ISO supporters.  I am Paul Berns, and if you have been to an ISO concert in the last zillion years you will recognize me as the tall guy running around in the back of the orchestra striking all kinds of percussion instruments (yep, with the pony tail). 

My experience since joining the ISO pretty much says it all about my interests and versatility. I think I will give you a top 10 list of what has gone on in my musical life since joining the orchestra. In chronological order:

10.  Paul auditions against many really talented percussionists and lands the job.
  9.  He begins as section percussionist.
  8.  Paul begins private teaching in Indy and joins the 'famous at the time' Sonic Boom Percussion Ensemble - playing 100 Young Audience Concerts each year.
  7.  Paul, in addition to the ISO is named Director of Percussion Ensembles at Butler University - loved that part time gig for 10 years.
  6.  ISO management - bless Sue Staton and executive director Sid Weedman ask me to form a band and play (jazz/rock/swing) throughout the state helping to raise $$$ to bring in the entire ISO  - I did it and we have been successful ever since - though my group is on its own now (7 pieces) - all styles.
  5.  Paul becomes ISO Principal Percussionist in 1981 - another audition
  4.  Paul becomes ISO Personnel Manager - a job he held for 16 years - and loved, believe it or not.
  3.  Paul begins teaching percussion again, this time at the University of Indianapolis - I have some wonderful students at the University and terrific students at home in my 700 square foot percussion studio = stop by for a lesson!!!!
  2.  Paul steps back into the section - not principal (Braham Dembar replaced me as principal and what a great player he is)
  1.  Paul becomes a blogger.

Ok - with all that experience YOU are bound to want to ask me questions about moi and the orchestra.  I will have other top 10 lists and actually quizzes for my readers.

For instance, how many percussion instruments does the Indianapolis Symphony own and where do we store them?  What member of management attends almost every concert?  And how much does a really good snare drum cost?

Oh, by the way my college rock band was called "The Amen" - and in the days of the Beatles I made enough money to pay cash for a Pontiac Le Mans convertible with white leather bucket seats - stupid to have white leather cuz of all the schlepping (sp?) of percussion equipment. Actually it was stupid not saving a little more and buying a GTO (if you do not know what a GTO was - go to Google).

That is it for now - I hope this blog is of interest - it has been fun for me.

Till the next time.

PAUL