BIOgraphy (close)
ABOUT DAVE . HEAR DAVE . DISCOGRAPHY . PORTFOLIO
ABOUT DAVE
Dave has had a passion for percussion since the early age of 8 and began his formal education at the age of 11 in public school band programs. His early days of percussion were steeped in a rich, music-centered training that has instilled a sense of muscianship that has influenced his drum set playing to this day. His love of the drum set continued throughout high school and into college.
A versatile and well rounded percussionist, he has performed and taught around the world including Germany and Hungary. His bringing of musical elements to the drums has placed him on first call list for performance and recording projects around Memphis. Additionally, his passion for education has made him a much sought after private instructor and clinician.
Dave studied music education and composition at Appalachian State University where he honed his skills as an orchestral and ethnic percussionist under composer, Scott Meister, and Philador Percussion Group member Rob Falvo. While at ASU, Dave studied drum set with jazz drumming great, Rick Dillon, and also had the opportunity to study frame drum with Glen Velez, and timpani with then NC Symphony's principal timpanist, Chris Dean. Dave holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from the University of Memphis and is pursuing his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies (drum set) also from the University of Memphis. He currently studies drum set with Carlton Scott, a former student of drums educator, Dom Famularo. His incluences include Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Steve Smith, Max Weinberg, and Neil Peart.
Dave is a member of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, International Association of Jazz Educators, and an alumnus of Kappa Kappa Psi, Honorary Band Fraternity.
Dave resides in Memphis, TN, with his wife, Shannon. He is the head of Percussion Studies at VISIBLE SCHOOL - Music & Worship Arts College, where he performs, lectures, and holds private instruction. He can also be heard weekly on his drumming podcast, "Dave Kropf's Drummer Talk." (Click here to subscribe in iTunes.)
ABOUT DAVE . HEAR DAVE . DISCOGRAPHY . PORTFOLIO
HEAR DAVE PLAY
NEW - Birthright Session Clips! Here are several clips from the recent Birthright sessions I recorded for Lilenas Publishing in May 2005. We recorded these in Studio C at Ardent Studios.
He Reigns - This clip features me on drums as well as djembe. This tune has a nice kick groove with the bass guitarist during the verses. The chorus is huge with full choir!
I Still Believe - This track features some of my rudimental chops as I lay down a nice 6/8 bed for the verses. NOTE: there is no over dubbing in the track, all rudimental work was done in conjunction with the playing of the grooves.
Noise We Make - One of my favorites! I programmed the loops for this track as well as played the drums - a real driving monster of a tune.
Sweep Me Away - This track features me on didjeridu, wind-wand, and I also programmed the loops. On the full track, I come in later with a smashing groove, but I wanted to showcase the didj on this clip.
Who Am I - A real power ballad originally recorded by Casting Crowns, this clip features a nice back beat and simple, yet 100% appropriate fill work.
The following clips are various examples of my work ranging from jazz to hard rock to latin.
So What - One of my favorite tunes of all time, by Miles Davis. I put much more of a Steve Gadd vibe to the tune than Jimmy Cobb in the 1959 original. Check out the homage to Jack DeJohnette in the ride solo around the 3:13 mark. This track features the brilliant Neal Bowen on upright bass.
Un Poco Loco - This tune, by Bud Powell, is a fave of mine. I just love the mambo cowbell with the splash of Samba thrown in.
Carol of the Bells - This is a hard rock track I cut with the beep. I really lay into these drums, and the breakdown in the middle of the tune is my favorite part. That bass just sounds nasty. I love it!!
What Child is This - Another Christmas tune. Neal and I layed down the bass and drums, and he dubbed in the keys and we had some other friends lay down vox and trumpet. The snare sound was achieved by placing a "drumbal" (symbal with a handle) on the snare. It gave it an almost electronic quality.
Footprints - This tune is a smooth tune in 6 and I lay on a little Joe Morello vibe to it to give it more of "Take Five" feel. The end result is nice, I think.
Someday My Prince Will Come - I have a real pasison for the brushes. They can be so expressive, flowing, and lyrical. Man ... it just doesn't get any better than a flowing swish pattern and a nice high hat.
ABOUT DAVE . HEAR DAVE . DISCOGRAPHY . PORTFOLIO
DISCOGRAPHY
| Artwork Unavailable |
jOb, Strangely Dim Drums & Percussion |
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The Santa Cause 2 2003, Hayestock Entertainment Drums "Carol of the Bells," the beep |
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VISIBLE SCHOOL Drums Loops and Samples |
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(Christmas Is) A Time For Us Drums |
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INDIE VISIBLE: Drums |
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VISIBLE SCHOOL Worship Band Drums Percussion Didjeridoo Loops and Samples |
Artwork |
VISIBLE Worship: The Magnificat Drums Loops and Samples |
ABOUT DAVE . HEAR DAVE . DISCOGRAPHY . PORTFOLIO
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1988-1999
Percussionist, Principle Timpanist - High Point First Wesleyan Church. Performances: Living Christmas Tree
1992-1993
Percussionist, Snare Drum – Appalachian State University Drumline
1992-1995
Percussionist, Appalachian State University Percussion Ensemble. Notable Performance: Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion 1994, Culawhee, NC
Percussionist – Appalachian State University Wind Ensemble
Percussionist – Appalachian State University Steely Pan Steel Band
1993-1995
Percussionist, Drummer - Lees-McCrae Theater, Banner Elk, NC. Performances: Guys and Dolls, The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, Nunsense, I Remember Mama, Cheaper by the Dozen, Camelot, Li'l Abner
1994
Principal Timpanist, Appalachian State University Orchestra
Composer, Arranger - Appalachian State University Drumline
Composer, Arranger - North Lenoir High School Drumline, Lenoir, NC
1995
Percussionist – University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble
1999
Percussionist, Drummer - Wally West Music Resource, Greensboro, NC. Performances: Premier Furniture Debut, International Home Furnishings Market, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1998
Percussionist, High Point Community Theater, High Point, NC. Performances: Grease
2000
Percussionist, Drummer - Livestock Theater, Greensboro, NC. Performances: Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, Damn Yankees
2000-2001
Percussionist, Drummer - Gate City Vineyard Church, Greensboro, NC. Performance: Performances: Talks with God (I/II)
2001
Percussionist, Drummer - Bartlett Performing Arts Center. Performances: Footloose
2001-Present
Percussionist, Drummer, DJ - VISIBLE SCHOOL. Performances: Vignettes 2002, VISIBLE Concert Series 2003: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, V2
Percussionist, Drummer, DJ – The Visible Collective (VISIBLE SCHOOL Faculty ensemble). Notable Performance: Godstock 2002, Crichton College
Director, VISIBLE SCHOOL World Music Ensemble
2002
Drummer – Rob Caudill & Tonight’s the Night Band
2002-Present
Composer, Arranger, Producer – DJ Huff N Puff. Notable performances: FedEx Forum, INTENSITY:Covington
2003
Drummer, DJ, Arranger, Producer – Autumn Fox Project.
2003 - Present
Drummer - Grace Church of the Nazarene
2004
Judge - Guitar Center Drum Off 2004.
2004-Present
Drummer – The Bebop Broadcasting Network/Neal Bowen Trio
Drummer - Kathryn Stallins Band
2005
Drummer - Covenant United Methodist Church
2005-2006
Drummer - Dani McCulloch
Drummer - Dave Isaacs
2006
Drummer - St. Benedict School, Guys and Dolls
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1994
Instructor - Appalachian State University, Drumline (Front Ensemble), Boone, NC
Instructor - North Lenoir High School Drumline, Lenoir, NC
1996-1998
Instructor – Percussion, Wesleyan Institute of Music and Arts
2001-Present
Instructor - Percussion Division Head, VISIBLE SCHOOL
Instructor - Music Theory, VISIBLE SCHOOL
Director - World Music Ensemble, VISIBLE SCHOOL
2005-Present
Instructor - Drums and Percussion, private studio
2006
Instructor - Percussion, Summer Music Instructive, Kandern Germany
Instructor - Music Theory, Summer Music Instructive, Kandern Germany
Instructor/Lecturer - Percussion, SOZO Music Festival
PROFESSIONAL WORKS
1992-1995
Composition, “Mieh d’Nos”
Composition, “Zapf Chancery”
1996
Recording, The Demo, jOb, Greensboro, NC. Drummer, Arranger
1997
Recording, EP Album – Strangely Dim. jOb, Greensboro, NC. Drummer, Arranger, Producer
1999
Recording, “Social immunity”, Compilation Album – Removed. jOb, Greensboro, NC. Drummer, Arranger, Producer
2001
Recording, Solo Project – Dave Kropf: Percussion. Memphis, TN
2002
Composition, “Taaqasiim”
Composition, “Improvisation for Steel Drum”
Composition, “Exposition for Tar”
Composition, “Polyrhythms for Dombek”
Composition, “Indigenous Expressions”
Composition, “Winds of Worship”
Arrangement, “Siyahamba”
2003
Composition, Arrangement, “7/4”
Composition, “Inspiré de Guineé”
Text, Drumset Control (in progress)
Text, VISIBLE Theory, Rhythmic Excercises
Recording, Song – “Carol of the Bells”, Santa Cause 2. The Beep, Memphis, TN. Drummer
Recording, Song – “Do Your Thing”. Autumn Fox Project, Memphis, TN. Loops
and Samples
Arrangement, Remix – “It’s Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas” by Bing Crosby
Article, ““The Evolution of Special Effects in Modern Filmmaking”
2004
Composition, “Commute”
Composition, “Long Beach Nights”
Composition, “Jazzy Rendered”
Article, “Theme and variations in Howard Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Article, “Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony #22 in Eb, “The Philosopher”
Article, “Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance #5”
Article, “Living Colour: Smashing the Hard Rock Racial Divide”
Article, “Blues Traveler: Running Around the Limelight”
Aricle, "John Dunstaple's 'Veni Sancte Spiritus-Veni Creator': An Analysis"
Article, "Earl Palmer: From Blues to Rock & Roll and Beyond"
Article, "Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso No. 8, 'Fatto per la notte di natale' (Christmas Concerto)"
Article, "John Ward’s English Madrigal, 'Come, Sable Night'"
Article, "Stephen Foster: America’s First Pop Star"
Arrangement, Remix – “Night in Tunisia” by Art Blakey
Arrangement, Remix – “Green Peppers” by Herb Alpert
Arrangement, Remix – “Johnson Rag” by Esquivel
Design & Layout – Music Theory, VS1113, VISIBLE SCHOOL Music Theory Textbook
Dissertation Proposal, The Drummer’s Role from Bebop to Avant-Garde: A Study of Percussion Styles in Jazz Medium
Recording, Live from the Glass House, The Bebop Broadcasting Network, Memphis, TN. Drummer.
Recording, The Reading Day Sessions, The Bebop Broadcasting Network, Memphis, TN. Drummer.
Recording, "What Child is This," Compilation - a visible Christmas. BBN & Friends, Memphis, TN. Drummer
2005
Article, “The Drummer's Role from Bop to Avant-Garde”
Recording, Birthright - DVD/Album (Lilenas Publishing/Nazarene Publishing House)
2006
Article, "The Sound of Milt Jackson"
Arrangement, Remix - "I Could Run Away" by 100 Portraits
Recording, "Tiffany," Cayerio
CONTINUING EDUCATION
1992-1995
Music Education, Music Composition, Appalachian State University
1995
Music Composition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2001, 2004-2005
Attendee, Percussive Arts Society International Conference
2005
Bachelor of Music, University of Memphis
2005 - Present
Masters of Music (Jazz & Studio Music, Drumset), University of Memphis
