| The Drummers' Perspective - Artie Storch |
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Interview Post: March, 2002
Occupation: Percussion Professor - Cal-State Hayward, Website: California Youth Symphony and Cal-State Hayward
Biography: As an active Bay Area free-lance musician, Arthur Storch is the first extra percussionist for the San Francisco Symphony, appears regularly with the San Jose and Oakland Symphonies, and has performed with ensembles ranging from Masterworks Chorale to Metallica. He teaches privately, and is also the Percussion Director for the California Youth Symphony. Mr. Storch is a regular player in the San Francisco theater orchestras, where he has performed in numerous shows including Les Miserables, Titanic, and the long-running Phantom of the Opera. His recording credits include playing drums and/or percussion for movies: Mars Attacks, The Faculty, Mimic, Inspector Gadget, Soapdish, The Iron Giant, Spy Kids, Jurassic Park 3; for television: The Man Who Captured Eichmann, Sesame Street, Young Indiana Jones, Running Mates; commercials for Saturn, Nissan, Hershey’s, Taco Bell; and records by Randy Newman, Linda Ronstadt, John Williams, The San Francisco Symphony, and others. Mr. Storch received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brooklyn College, CUNY, where he studied with Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic, and a Master of Music degree from The Julliard School, where his principal teacher was Saul Goodman. |
Questions
The Drummers Lounge (TDL) |
Answers
Artie Storch (AS) |
TDL: If you could describe your playing as a food, what would it be? |
AS: Well, I would say a smorgasbord. I play with a lot of variety and different styles. |
TDL: What was the first percussion instrument you learned to play? |
AS: Drum Set, at a very young age. |
TDL: What attracted you to percussion? |
AS: The Beatles! I loved their 'pop' sound and the overall look. |
TDL: What musical influences did you have as a child? |
AS: Definitely 'doo-wop', rock and roll, and I got to throw Bill Haley and the Comets in there! |
TDL: What was your motivation to learn to play? |
AS: I just knew! Intuitively I knew I had to learn to play the drums. It was like they were calling to me. That was the only instrument I was interested in. |
TDL: What other instruments do you know how to play? |
AS: Piano, Recorder, Tympani, Percussion Mallets. I definitely had a Western Influence. |
TDL: What musical styles today, give you the most creative influence? |
AS: Rock and roll...without a doubt. If you look at the history of rock and roll, you will see that it has, and will continue to evolve and change. Every new group tries to be different. It (rock and roll) will fundamentally be somewhat the same, but yet it will be completely different. No other style has changed that much. I look forward to more changes! |
TDL: Who have you studied with? |
AS: Arnie Lany (NY Philharmonic Orchestra), Saul Goodman (Julliard) |
TDL: Who have you performed with? |
AS: San Francisco Symphony, Broadway in 'The Phantom of the Opera', Jurassic Park 3. |
TDL: How important is emotion in music? |
AS: If there is no emotion, there is no music, and if that was the case, we (percussionists alike) would all just get regular jobs. I feel that 'all intellect and no emotion' is a negative position to be in. On the flip side of that, if you have 'all emotion and no intellect' you have no discipline. There needs to be a balance of both (but more emotion). |
TDL: How does a person go about choosing an instrument? |
AS: I think that it is just intuitive. You just know which instrument speaks to you loudest. |
TDL: What is the number one element to becoming an established musician? |
.AS: Your playing needs to be together (organized and reliable). You as a person need to be dependable, which means prompt, professional and disciplined. |
TDL: When given the chance to inspire musicians today, from all walks of life, what words of wisdom would you give them? |
AS: Never forget to have fun! Playing music is all about having fun and sharing that with others. You also need to hold yourself to a high standard. You should be able to tune your instruments, play and read music. Basically, in doing this you will get the most from your instrument and your playing. Music is wonderful, you just have to give it your all. |
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