‘MY SPECIALTY IS NOT TO SPECIALIZE”

"As a successful practitioner of the total art of the percussion performer, Fred practices what he teaches: diversity based upon solid musical and technical fundamentals."* He joined the University of Miami faculty and built a comprehensive Percussion Program after earning bachelor's and master's degrees at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. Subsequently he did post-graduate study in African music at UCLA. His research interest in Afro/Caribbean music has taken him too many islands in the Caribbean and countries in Latin America.

Prior to his coming to Miami, he pursued an active free-lance career in Chicago which included jazz clubs, recording, and performances with the Chicago Symphony. He was timpanist and principal percussionist with the first Miami/Florida Philharmonic, and has frequently performed with Miami City Ballet and the Florida Grand Opera. He is percussionist with television shows originating in South Florida and New York City. A performer on drumset, timpani and auxiliary percussion, he maintains a free-lance performing career in Symphonic, Pop and Ethnic music.

His clinic "Percussion from the Podium" has been presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, American Band College, at regional MENC's and state conventions. He offers specialized workshops in timpani, snare drum, mallet/keyboard percussion, drumset, Latin percussion and total musicianship. Clinics and workshops are often co-sponsored by Mike Balter Mallets, Remo Inc., Sabian Cymbals and Yamaha.

Since retiring from full time responsibilities as founder/chairman of the Percussion Program at the University of Miami he has continued to teach the course he developed, Miami's Multicultural Musical Heritage, during Winter Intersession and Spring Minimester and has been active in developing Drum Circles at UM, Barry University and throughout the South Florida area

*Frederick Fennell.

Fred Wickstrom

Percussionist

Professor of Music,

University of Miami, Coral Gables Florida