BILL SERSON
Instructor: Drums
Styles: Rudiments and Stick Control
Levels: Beginners age 11+, Intermediate, Advanced
Influences: Gerry Leebody - my first Instructor, Roch St. Jean, Tim Stood, Mandela, Vinnie Johnson (T Bone Walker), Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd
"My Grandmother in England sent some toy figurines of The Royal Marine Guards - there was a bass drummer and 2 snare drummers and I thought it looked so cool I wanted to start playing drums"
"The moment that excited me was probably the first time I was old enough and big enough to carry a marching snare drum - about 12, it just felt good - big old Ludwig 15" super sensitive snare drum."
"My favourite memory is in 1970 I joined Cadets LaSalle, The Shriners International in Toronto competing with top junior drum corps. Arnprior was considered second tier - 15,000 in the crowd, we walked on the field and felt we had a chance to win and it felt like we were meant to be there - I was meant to be there"
"I would have to say my first love in style would be Historic and modern rudimental drumming, followed by blues and R & B and Latin rock."
"Top 3 favourite songs would be Channel One Suite - Buddy Rich, Dave Brubeck - Take Five, On Square Dance - Dave Brubeck and anything by Santana."
" The most important thing a student should know is that music is a process - you won't be there overnight, it's steps that you take."
Two time Canadian Snare Drum Champion 1972 & 1973
Numerous Duet and Quartet Provincial and National Individual Snare Drum Awards
Section Leader Cadets LaSalle 1972 High Execution Drum Award at the World Open in Boston
Plays with Redneck Limousine and various blues groups