Brazilian Bateria Directing Symposium
June 4-6, 2025, Boulder, CO
Hosted on the beautiful campus of the University of Colorado-Boulder, the 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.
Open to professional and semi-professional musicians, band directors and school percussion specialists, percussion teachers, current graduate students studying percussion and. Participants should have experience playing percussion and either professional playing and/or teaching experience. Not sure if it is right for you? Contact Carl 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 composed of other participants
-Arranging strategies and concepts to adapt repertoire for the needs of a 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 provided for classes
-Discounts on all instruments from Virada Drums
Repertoire will include Carl’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 Olodum
Location
All daytime classes will take place in the percussion studio of the CU College of Music in Boulder, CO (Imig Muisc Building, 1020 18th Street). Evening activities will include classes and events at additional locations off campus in Boulder.
Registration is now open
Early registration before May 1: $480
After May 1: $530
A non-refundable of $200 is required upon registration. Prior to May 31, refund is in full excluding the non-refundable $200 deposit. Payment in full is due June 4th. Registration information and links will be posted on this page.
Lodging
Participants are responsible for securing their own lodging. Discounted rates at several hotels are available.
Meals
On-campus dining is available at the Center for Community and UMC Market. These dining centers accept credit and debit cards.
Transportation
Transportation from Denver International Airport is available via the RTD AB bus. Local transportation within Boulder 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
Message Carl with questions
Carl Dixon is an Assistant Teaching Professor in percussion at the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he has directed the Brazilian Bateria Percussion Ensemble since establishing it in 2011, and is the Musical Director of the Boulder Samba School, a community drumming ensemble co-founded by Carl in 2009. Carl has been a featured guest teacher at universities and community groups across the country and at the California Brazil Camp. Carl has directed bateria performances for university concerts, carnaval shows, parades, festivals, and school and community events, including collaborations with multiple dance companies, the Colorado Symphony, Boulder Chorale, and the University of Colorado Marching Band. As Artistic Director of the Colorado Brazil Fest, Carl has coordinated and directed performances with Brazilian artists including Jorge Alabe, Casuarina, Moyseis Marques, Dandha da Hora, Paula Santoro, Alessandro Penezzi, and Ronaldo Andrade. Carl 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), and others, and has performed with several samba school baterias and blocos.