William James

Principal Percussionist, St Louis Symphony Orchestra

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The Modern Concert Snare Drum Roll by William James is available for purchase from Meredith Music.

Recent Blog Posts

The Repertoire FAQ
The Repertoire Announcement!
Top 10 Tips for Those in HS Taking College Auditions

Chapter Videos

Videos for each chapter in The Modern Concert Snare Drum Roll.

Setting Up to the Drum

Gripping the Sticks

The Basic Principles of the Modern Concert Snare Drum Roll

Implementing All Three Principles Into One Stroke

Building a Sustained Roll and Developing the Sound

The Release of the Roll

Alternating Between Single Strokes and a Roll

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Flashback to 2013 #PASIC and an epic meal with some great colleagues. @shannonvwood @keithaleo Wish I could be there this year, but alas this triangle isn’t going to play itself. #Brahms4

Had a lot of fun with my favorite @stephjones11 and friends at the #kidsinthemiddle sip and swirl tonight. #nightoff #actuallysocializing

Another normal day at the office.

Some of my colleagues don’t feel this is necessary.

Tourists in our own city. #happybirthdaysteph #24hoursaway #outoftheoffice @stephjones11

The dirty secret of the orchestra world is how little we enjoy rehearsals. Whether it’s a grind, or a long sit with little to play, or unnecessarily tedious, or a conductor with WAY too much to say, it isn’t always enjoyable. Concerts are what we live for. Well.... yesterday was not one of those rehearsals. Tonight we play a concert of John Williams music WITH John Williams. Yesterday’s rehearsal with him was a rehearsal I won’t soon forget. Yes he has redefined the relationship with music and movies. Yes his music is great. But until yesterday I didn’t realize how great HE was. Such an efficient conductor with things to say musically. He trusted the orchestra and gave us all the information we needed. The old masters know less is more and when he moved, the orchestra responded. Orchestras really do want to be led and he knew just how to do it and bring the best out. I brought a copy of the vibraphone part to Escapades and was fortunate to have him sign it. He told me “you know this is really hard!” I told him I was very aware. Tonight will be a total rock show. The music is great and the orchestra is ready to give John what he wants. If the rehearsal is any indication, the concert will be equally memorable. Thanks John for making the trip to St Louis.

A look behind the scenes of The Repertoire. Before and after. Cleaning up parts for the tutorials. Not the romantic stuff kids!!! #Photoshop #DontNeedThatManyMarkings #TheRepertoire

Last visit of the semester at @mizzoumusic Had to.

Harry Potter movie rehearsals can really take it out of you. @alanlstewart 😂

That’s a ton of Xylophone! So much I had to split the list in 3 pictures! All available in The Repertoire to help you get ready for your next audition. . . . . . #orchestralpercussion #percussion #orchestra #malletech #zildjian #evans #groverpropercussion #auditions #orchestraauditions #percussionauditions #percusion #percussionista #percussionlife #drums #drummer #musician #orchestralmusician #percussioncommunity #drumsticks #TheRepertoire

As I announced Wednesday, the xylophone performance videos are LIVE on The Repertoire. 23 excerpts in all!!!! Apparently xylophone is pretty popular. Colas Breugnon Overture is one of the most popular works asked in auditions. Here is how I play it! If you want to know how I play the other 22, go to my website in my bio. . . . . #orchestralpercussion #percussion #orchestra #malletech #zildjian #evans #groverpropercussion #auditions #orchestraauditions #percussionauditions #percusion #percussionista #percussionlife #drums #drummer #musician #orchestralmusician #percussioncommunity #drumsticks #TheRepertoire

How else could I celebrate the xylophone performance videos going live than with a look inside how serious we take these recording sessions? #PercussionNationalAnthem . . . . . . . #orchestralpercussion #percussion #orchestra #malletech #zildjian #evans #groverpropercussion #auditions #orchestraauditions #percussionauditions #percusion #percussionista #percussionlife #drums #drummer #musician #orchestralmusician #percussioncommunity #drumsticks #TheRepertoire

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