Fine Arts Center Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion - Gary Robinson, Instructor

On Thursday October 27th and Friday October 28th, the Fine Arts Center hosted Guest Artist Pat Petrillo. Among his many accomplishments as a professional drum set player end educator, Pat is the only full-time instructor on staff at the famous Drummers Collective in New York City. During his Surdna fellowship project this summer, FAC music faculty member Gary Robinson studied with Petrillo. Enthused about his skill and versatility as a player as well as his impressive abilities as a teacher, Robinson arranged for this recent residency, attended by Fine Arts Center percussion and jazz guitar students, as well as by the percussion class from Greenville High School.

Petrillo's Biography

Pat is the drummer for Pop/Dance diva Gloria Gaynor. He has also cut records and performed with a variety of artists from many genres of music, from the contemporary jazz of guitarist Ed Hamilton to the pop/rock songs of Glen Burtnik to R&B legend Patti LaBelle, Pat plays it all...with conviction! His versatility extends to Broadway, having played such shows as "A Chorus Line", "Grease", "Footloose" and a national tour of "Dreamgirls". As one magazine article stated: "You're sure to find Pat somewhere in New York, cymbal bag over his shoulder, and pedal grease on his sneakers!"

A very popular clinician, Pat has conducted clinics all over the world, from major universities to music stores and PASIC conventions. He has released two instructional videos. "Snare Drum Rudiments" was one of the first instructional videos ever released and is still selling all over the globe. His latest releases, the instructional video, "Complete Drum Workout", and the "Complete Drum Workbook/CD" have been garnering recognition as an excellent body of work for drummers of all ages. Look for more instructional material from Pat in the future!

Growing up in New Brunswick, New Jersey in a culturally mixed neighborhood, Pat started playing at age five. Playing came naturally and he was drawn to the music of the Beatles. Along with the help of an older brother, he was playing along to records immediately. As he got older, Pat's musical influences included James Brown, Parliament/Funkadelic, Yes, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Stevie Wonder, and "anything that was on a.m. radio." Playing in bands was also a huge learning experience.

Pat honed his chops with drum and bugle corps in New Jersey, touring the country with the popular Bridgemen. After receiving a scholarship to Morehead Sate University in Kentucky, he studied with Frank Oddis, receiving Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education.

Upon his return to New Jersey, Pat enrolled at Drummers Collective in NYC, studying with the likes of Peter Erskine and Frank Malabe, eventually teaching at the Collective himself. His years of studies with the late Malabe, were "truly inspirational, saturated not only with the music, but of the culture" of Afro Cuban music.

Pat is an endorser for Zildjian cymbals and Taye drums.