Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (abop) Hosts 3rd Annual abop-in-la in Preparation for Smithsonian Folklife Festival Appearance

ABOP-in-LA | June 24–28
Smithsonian Folklife Festival | July 2–7

Los Angeles, CA (June 03, 2025) — The Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) proudly announces the third annual ABOP-in-LA, an immersive week of workshops, masterclasses, and performances for ABOP Protégés and the percussion-curious public, taking place June 24–28. This year’s event also serves as preparation for ABOP’s upcoming participation in the prestigious Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., July 2–7.

“I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to have all of our protégés together for this year’s intensive,” said Raynor Carroll, ABOP co-founder. “The dynamics of rehearsing, traveling, sharing meals, and performing together inspire us to continue the work we are doing.”

During ABOP-in-LA, Protégés will learn from distinguished instructors, collaborate with peers, and engage in conversations about the future of percussion in orchestral settings.

Program Highlights:

• Family Drumming Workshops: Hands-on, family-friendly drumming workshops led by ABOP instructors.
• Masterclasses: Instruction in timpani, snare drum, mallets, and full percussion section repertoire.
• ABOP Concert: A culminating performance featuring ABOP Protégés and the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), performing works by Copland, Ginastera, and others.

While ABOP-in-LA is designed primarily for Protégés, ABOP welcomes aspiring percussionists of all levels—from students to educators—to attend the week’s free events.

“We’re also thrilled to bring our programming to Washington, D.C., as part of the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival, July 2–7,” said Carroll. “With this year’s theme, Youth and the Future of Culture, we’re honored to lead workshops, masterclasses, and performances on the National Mall. This opportunity not only enriches our Protégés’ experience but helps us share ABOP’s mission with a broader audience.”

To learn more about ABOP-in-LA, visit: https://abop.us/abop-in-la
For Folklife Festival info, visit: https://festival.si.edu/ 

Editor’s Note:

ABOP-in-LA 2025 Events | June 24-28

All ABOP-in-LA events will be hosted at Beckmen YOLA Center, 101 South La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301. 

*Parking is available in the city lot directly behind the center.

Masterclass I ?Selected Orchestral Repertoire for Timpani
Focus: Mozart's Magic Flute Overture, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4
When: Tuesday, June 24, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Who is invited?: Open to all.
Register for FREE here.

Family Drumming Workshops
Focus: Learn the basics of call-and-response drumming and play rhythms as an ensemble. Each session will feature a different West African rhythm.
When: Workshop I - Wednesday, June 25, 2:00 PM-3:00 PM 
            Workshop II - Wednesday, June 25, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Who is invited?: Open to all, especially families.
Register for Workshop I for FREE here.
Register for Workshop II for FREE here.

Masterclass II ?Selected Orchestral Repertoire for Snare Drum and Mallets 
Focus: Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice
When: Wednesday, June 25, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Who is invited?: Open to all.
Register for Free here.

Masterclass III ?Selected Orchestral Repertoire for the Percussion Section 
Focus: Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, Ginastera’s Estancia
When: Thursday, June 26, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Who is invited?: Open to all.
Register for FREE here.

ABOP Concert
Program: First half features ABOP Protégés performing percussion ensemble literature. For the second half the Inner City Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (ICYOLA) joins the Protégés in works by Copland, Ginastera, and others.
When: Saturday, June 28, 2:00 PM
Who is invited? Open to all.
Register for FREE here.

Please note, that the above events are FREE and open to the public at no charge. Browse and register for all open events at ABOP’s Eventbrite page here.

Special thanks to ABOP’s Sponsors Batterie Music, Black Swamp Percussion, Cooperman, Insoundmallets, Majestic Percussion, Marimba One, Remo, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Zildjian for their generous donation of materials, instruments, and more.

 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival | July 2-7 

The Folklife Festival will take place on the National Mall between Ninth and Fourteenth Streets and inside the Arts and Industries Building.
*Parking around the National Mall is minimal, please plan accordingly.

Wednesday, July 2nd

11:00 AM Family Drumming Workshop

2:00 PM Masterclass: Orchestral Repertoire 

Thursday, July 3rd

11:00 AM Family Drumming Workshop

2:00 PM Masterclass: Orchestral Repertoire

Friday, July 4th

12:00 PM Family Drumming Workshop

3:00 PM Masterclass: Orchestral Repertoire

4:00 PM Discussion panel: Grads to Mentors

Saturday, July 5th

12:00 PM Family Drumming Workshop

2:00 PM Masterclass: Orchestral Repertoire

4:30 PM Cross program Percussion Workshop (ABOP Camilo - Latin percussion Collab) 

Sunday, July 6th

11:00 AM Discussion panel: Youth Voices in Music 2

12:00 PM Family Workshop

5:30 PM – 5:50 pm ABOP performance

6:00 PM – 6:20 pm ABOP Mariachi Tesoro Collab 

Monday, July 7th

11:00 AM Concert at the Main Stage

2:00 PM Family Drumming Workshop

4:00 PM Talent Show

Read more about the festival and details for attendance at the link below: 

https://festival.si.edu/2025/youth-future-culture 

 

About ABOP

ABOP is a non-profit providing professional development to young and emerging Black percussionists seeking a career in symphonic percussion. Through comprehensive training and mentorship, ABOP prepares Black percussionists for the concert stage thereby changing the future face of symphonic orchestras nationwide.

Classical musicians of color rarely have colleagues who look like them. ABOP aims to promote social change by increasing the number of highly-trained Black percussionists.  Regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location, ABOP’s goal is to lift Black percussionists through a program of instruction, workshops, and performance opportunities.

Learn more about ABOP’s core philosophies, founding background, and history, or dive deeper into our Mentorship Program by visiting these links.

About ABOP Protégés

ABOP Protégés are members of ABOP’s Mentorship Program, open to Black percussionists of any age seeking training and support in pursuing a career in orchestral percussion. Students, pre-professionals, and professionals are prepared and guided to the next step in their musical careers by qualified and experienced percussionists in the field (ABOP Mentors). Program benefits are provided at no cost to Protégés.

Protégés are accepted each year on a rolling basis, pending program funding. Based on the Protégé’s skills upon entry, Mentors work with Protégés over time to develop the skills and focus required of professional players. ABOP will work with the Protégés’ current musical activities to complement and enhance their development. Protégés will be encouraged not only to learn, but to teach and mentor. The aim is to cumulatively grow a professionally trained cohort of Black musicians who can support each other and nurture newcomers.

An important focus of the ABOP Mentorship is to develop the whole person—not just a skilled musician, but a compassionate, well-rounded, and responsible individual, prepared for today’s tasks and tomorrow’s challenges. ABOP counsels and encourages the Protégés in fulfilling educational goals, and nurtures and models behaviors that are key to being successful both in life and work. To learn more click here.