Brazilian Bateria Directing Symposium

Brazilian Bateria Directing Symposium

June 4-6, 2025

Hosted on the beautiful 91¸£ÀûÉç College of Music campus, our Bateria Directing Symposium is specifically designed and intended for experienced percussionists and teachers to develop skills and knowledge in Brazilian percussion and learn the role of directing a bateria ensemble in a school, university or community music setting.

The symposium is open to professional and semiprofessional musicians, band directors and school percussion specialists, percussion teachers and current graduate students studying percussion. Participants should have experience playing percussion and either professional playing and/or teaching experience.Ìý

Not sure if this symposium is right for you? and describe your experience and interest.

Three full days of intensive training will include:

  • Classes on rhythms and techniques of all instruments used in the bateria
  • Conducting techniques
  • Practice leading the seminar bateria comprised of other participants
  • Arranging strategies and concepts to adapt repertoire to the needs of specific ensembles and performances
  • Special topics requested by participants

Also included in the seminar:

  • Recordings of all classes for future study and reference
  • Scores for transcriptions/arrangements of several traditional and original pieces for bateria
  • All instruments for classes are provided
  • Discounts on all instruments from Virada Drums
Registration

Early registration before May 1: $480Ìý
After May 1: $530Ìý

A $200 non-refundable deposit is required upon registration. Prior to May 31, refund is in full (excluding the non-refundable $200 deposit). Payment in full is due June 4, 2025.

Repertoire will include Carl Dixon’s arrangements and transcriptions.

  • Bateria Carioca—Rio samba basics
  • Samba Enredo arrangement—A standard arrangement of a traditional samba enredo
  • Paradinhas and styles of several important Rio samba schools: Mangueira, Mocidade, Salgueiro, etc.
  • Samba reggae rhythms from famous blocos Timbalada, Ilê Aiyê and OlodumÌý

Location

All daytime classes will take place in the percussion studio of the 91¸£ÀûÉç College of Music percussion studio (Imig Music Building, 1020 18th Street, 91¸£ÀûÉç, Colorado). Evening activities will include classes and events at additional locations off campus in 91¸£ÀûÉç.

Lodging

Participants are responsible for securing their own lodging. at several hotels are available.

Meals

On-campus dining is available at the Center for Community (C4C) and UMC Market. These dining centers accept credit and debit cards.Ìý

Transportation

Transportation from Denver International Airport is available via the . Local transportation within 91¸£ÀûÉç is possible via bus/ride share, and use of a vehicle during the days of the workshop is not required. Paid parking on campus is available.

Contact

Carl Dixon
Assistant Teaching Professor, Percussion
carl.dixon@colorado.edu

Carl Dixon has directed the Brazilian Bateria Percussion Ensemble since establishing it at the 91¸£ÀûÉç College of Music in 2011. He also serves as musical director of the 91¸£ÀûÉç Samba School, a community drumming ensemble he co-founded in 2009. Dixon has been a featured guest teacher at universities and community groups across the country and at the California Brazil Camp.ÌýAdditionally, Dixon has directed bateria performances for university concerts, carnival shows, parades, festivals and school and community events including collaborations with multiple dance companies, the Colorado Symphony, 91¸£ÀûÉç Chorale and the 91¸£ÀûÉç Golden Buffalo Marching Band. As artistic director of the Colorado Brazil Fest, Dixon has coordinated and directed performances with Brazilian artists including Jorge Alabe, Casuarina, Moyseis Marques, Dandha da Hora, Paula Santoro, Alessandro Penezzi and Ronaldo Andrade. Dixon has studied extensively in Rio de Janeiro and with internationally recognized samba percussionists and bateria directors including Jorge Alabe, Mestre Ailton Nunes (Mangueira), Mestre Marcão (Salgueiro), Mestres Gustavo and Guilherme (Salgueiro), among others, and has performed with several samba school baterias andÌý blocos.