RMPA Newsletter #3

Welcome to the third edition of the RMPA Newsletter! We are now less than a month away from the first contest of the 2026 RMPA season and we couldn't be more excited to get started! This newsletter has some truly fantastic articles relating to the visual side of the activity (with some great advice for ALL ensembles as well!), electronics tips, and a collection of links to broaden your Hand Percussion Technique expertise.

In other RMPA news, preliminary schedules for all competitions (other than Prelims and Championships) are online now at rmpa.org. Please keep in mind that these are only preliminary and can still be adjusted up to 2 weeks prior to each event, and Prelims and Championships schedules are released after the reclassification deadline (3/15).

We are looking forward to seeing many of you on February 1 at Monarch High School for the Judge Training event!

Colin Spear

President, RMPA Board of Directors

• Codes of Conduct were sent out at the beginning of the month and are due January 31.
• Not sure if your ensemble's Code of Conduct has been signed? Email colin@rmpa.org
• Submit any Hall of Fame submissions here.
• Nominations are due by March 1.
• Directors, check your email for a short survey regarding Finalist Banners.
• It's not too late to RSVP for the Judge Training on Sunday, February 1, from 2-5 at Monarch High School! All are welcome!
• Questions? Email colin@rmpa.org

• Saturday, January 31: Codes of Conduct must be signed
• Sunday, February 1: 2026 RMPA Judge Training @ Monarch HS

• Saturday, February 14th: RMPA Regular Season Show #1 @ Monarch HS
• Saturday, February 21st: RMPA Regular Season Show #2 @ Frederick HS

Lauren Maxwell is a member of the RMPA Hall of Fame, serving on the Board of Directors starting in 2017, and was President of RMPA from 2020-2025. She has taught percussion in Colorado for over 20 years, the last 10 at Centaurus High School.

Lauren was kind enough to not only write an article about the benefits of a positive ensemble culture, but included links to multiple resources as well.

Charles Craig (Westminster, CO) is one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association, along with Steve Yates and Ralph Hardimon, and is a member of their Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was the founding director of the Blue Knights Open and World Percussion Ensembles. During his time as the visual designer for the Arvada Reds Percussion Ensemble, they became WGI finalists 7 of the 9 times they attended Championships and were the Open Class Champions in 1998. Charles works as a visual judge for indoor percussion associations throughout the country including the RMPA, SCPA, IPA, WGAZ and the MPA. He is also a visual judge during the marching band season for the Colorado Band Masters Association, the Friendship Cup competitions sponsored by the Blue Knights, and for several independent shows in Indiana.

Neal Titus is an experienced Sonic Creative, Sound Designer and Composer, with a demonstrated history of success working in music education. Neal is passionate about providing life-changing experiences through creative collaboration, thoughtful design, and confident execution.

Over the past 13 years Neal has been fortunate enough to collaborate and design with some of the top Brands, Designers, Ensembles, and Musicians from around the world. Neal is the Owner/Operator of Neal Titus Music Design (NTMD), a firm specializing in custom audio strategy for any project. He holds an Undergraduate degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Colorado (2013), and a Master of Music from the University of Denver (2017). Currently Neal is the Head of Creative at PHMG, a UK-based creative firm specializing in audio branding and sonic identity development for brands around the world.

He is a proud Educator Endorser of Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Mapex/Majestic Percussion.

Mike Nevin has graciously put together this list of helpful video links for Hand Drum Technique, as well as a great collection of full indoor percussion shows to check out.

Mike has been a driving force for the indoor percussion activity in Colorado since it's inception, and continues to play an active role in supporting the growth of RMPA and percussion in general. For a full bio on Mike, click here.