Phil-A-Rhythm demonstrates the basic and exotic qualities of instruments in the percussion family, along with their origins and unique sounds, while exploring a wide range of new rhythms and melodic forms.

Assembly, Workshop, and Residency Offerings

Phil-A-Rhythm demonstrates the basic and exotic qualities of instruments in the percussion family, along with their origins and unique sounds, while exploring a wide range of new rhythms and melodic forms. Geared to students of all ages, the program includes a demonstration of the difference between a tuned and un-tuned percussion instrument, the history of the steel drums, and a lesson on jazz and syncopation. Students are invited on stage to play the instruments and are encouraged to sing along to well-known songs such as Under the Sea and The Lion Sleeps Tonight. The program can be tailored to middle and high school audiences as well, with more of a focus on the marching drums and drum set.

Pennsylvania Curriculum Standards
(A=Assembly; W=Workshop; R=Residency)
9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts A, W, R
9.2 Historical & Cultural Contexts A, W, R
15.4 Learning Through Experience A, W, R
25.3 Pro-Social Relationships with Adults W, R
25.4 Pro-Social Relationships with Peers W, R

Featuring: Phil-A-Rhythm
Stephen Tipping is a percussionist and educator in the Greater Philadelphia Region. He performs and teaches an extensive scope of musical genres, including the marching arts, classical percussion, jazz and pop drumset, and steel pan. Stephen has performed across the East Coast, Arizona, Europe, Israel, and Puerto Rico. He most recently performed with Philadelphia-based Philadelphia Pan Stars (Philly Pan Stars) at the 2016 Brooklyn Panorama, the second largest panorama competition in the world.

Stephen currently serves as Instructor of Percussion at Delaware State University (Dover, DE), Caption Head/Lead Percussion Arranger of perennial TOB Chapter 9 Champions Caesar Rodney High School Marching Band (Camden, DE), and is now Music Consultant with 2016 WGI Championship A-Class Finalist Aftermath Percussion (Lehigh Valley, PA) after two years serving as Bass Technician on their return to Finalist status. Stephen holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University of Delaware and a Masters of Music Performance from the University of Arizona.
Joined Musicopia: 2001