Kirk Gay (b. 1967) is currently the Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies and an Instructor of Music at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL.He teaches student lessons for the percussion studio and directs Black Steel, the UCF steel drum ensemble. He is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician and an endorser and clinician for Sabian Cymbals, Grover Pro Percussion and Salyers Percussion sticks and mallets which produce his signature line of timpani mallets. As a composer and arranger he has works published by Tapspace Publications, Alfred Publications and Pan Press Publications. Mr. Gay’s timpani etude book Pedal to the Kettle, released by Tapspace Publications, is used in many states for All-State auditions as well on the state solo lists.
Mr. Gay obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University.He later went on to study with Paul Yancich and Richard Weiner at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he received his Master’s Degree in Timpani Performance.
An active clinician, Mr. Gay has presented many clinics and master classes at universities and high schools in the U.S and abroad. He has performed clinics at the Florida and Alaska PAS Day of Percussion and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Mr. Gay has also published numerous articles for Percussive Notes magazine, the Texas Bandmasters Association, School Band and Orchestra Magazine.
He performs regularly with the Walt Disney World Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic and currently is the Principal Percussionist with The Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Timpanist with the Bach Festival Orchestra of Winter Park, FL.
Mr. Gay marched in Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps from 1986 – 1989 where he was 1989 DCI Timpani Individuals Champion and two time DCM Timpani Individuals Champion. He has taught and written for many drum and bugle corps including The Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Magic of Orlando, Empire Statesmen and The Yokohama Inspires from Japan. Mr. Gay was head arranger and percussion coordinator with the Phantom Regiment in 1996 when they won the DCI Championship.
Much of the world's great timpani literature was written decades ago. With an inventive collection of easy to advanced etudes and solos, Kirk J. Gay's Pedal to the Kettle offers a "tune up" designed to appeal to today's timpanists.
Written for five drums, this piece begins with a dramatic and lyrical opening, then bursts into an "allegro" theme. It ends with an energetic passage requiring various pedalings and cross-over stickings.
An enjoyable solo for timpani in which various sections contrast from march style to adagio, and occasional glissandi make full utilization of all four drums.
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