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About Me
Behind the music of Derrick Raiter
Percussion is my passion
Meet Derrick
For the last 30 years, I’ve had some great musical adventures. I came to music in high school (late in life…at least by today’s standards!) and quickly realized I’d found my life’s passion.
I went on to study music with a percussion performance emphasis at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota as well as march with the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for three years.
Those experiences gave me the foundation to develop my skills and creativity into a career with extensive studio work, performance and teaching experience in a wide variety of styles and percussion instruments.
Now based in Portugal, I am enjoying my exploration of the artistic and musical scene here and across Europe. If you’re looking for drums or percussion, I’d be happy to connect for a recording session, performance or lesson.
What I bring
Experience & skills
Education
Degree
Bachelor of Music with Honors
St. Cloud State University
Continuing Education
Currently studying with Anika Nilles
Various clinics and workshops
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
Vic Firth Education Team
Sabian SEN
Professional Drum Teachers Guild
Percussive Arts Society
Skills & Expertise
Playing Skills
Whether it’s a solid drum set groove, rhythmic hand drums or a mix of percussive ‘toy’ accents, I lay down the sounds needed for recordings and live performances.
With my experience in various musical styles – including rock, progressive, jazz, fusion, country, pop, blues, religious, world and folk – and my wide range of gear, I help achieve the desired sound for each song I play.
I am confident playing any time signature you need. I can also incorporate metric modulations to create an innovative percussion performance.
I’ve collaborated with numerous artists and bands on rock, jazz, country, pop and folk recordings and live performances. I bring experience and originality to the creative process to help develop musical concepts into reality.
Teaching Skills
I work with beginning students on the basics, time and key signatures, rhythms, stick/mallet control, reading music and the importance of correct grip, posture and warm up to prevent any physical injuries.
I work with advanced students to take their skills to the next level with concepts such as double bass drumming, hybrid rudiments, odd subdivisions, metric modulations and 4- or 6-mallet techniques.
I’ve assisted many students to successfully prepare for scholarships and auditions into top orchestras and bands, drum corps and colleges.
Each year, I work with students to select a song to stretch their skills and showcase their progress. Their final video ‘performance’ is shared on my student YouTube page for family and friends to enjoy.
Artists I've worked with
Creative Collaborations
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- derrickraiter@gmail.com
- 612 388 1850 (U.S.)
- 351 927 486 347 (Portugal)