Since 1993, Ken has performed with the major ensembles of Southern California including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Ken has been a regular guest with the LA Philharmonic's New Music Group performing at Lincoln Center, the Ojai Music Festival and the Green Umbrella Series. In 2008, he commissioned, performed and recorded William Kraft's Encounters XIII: Concertino for Percussion and Woodwind Quintet with Southwest Chamber Music. In theater pits across the Southland, Ken has performed with dance troupes such as ABT, Bolshoi Ballet and San Francisco Ballet as well as playing on musicals ranging from The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked to The Lion King and Motown: The Musical. Ken is also an active studio musician performing on numerous motion pictures for such notable composers as John Williams, Randy Newman, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman , Alan Silvestri, Alexandre Desplat, Michael Giaccihno, James Newton Howard and Christophe Beck.
Profile
Ken McGrath began piano and percussion studies at an early age, participating in all types of ensembles, festivals and competitions throughout elementary, middle and high school. By his senior year, he was playing professionally with the Bob Bouchard Big Band at dances and concerts throughout Northern California. Ken then went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, summa cum laude, from UCLA under the tutelage of Mitchell Peters. Further studies were completed with John Beck at the Eastman School of Music where he received his Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance and Literature. In addition, Ken participated in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, an intensive summer training program for conservatory-aged instrumentalists.
In conjunction with his busy performing schedule, Ken has kept an equally fulfilling teaching schedule. Currently he serves on the faculties of California State University Fullerton, the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts and Pasadena City College, in addition to maintaining his private teaching studio in Glendale. He has held master classes, coachings and adjudications at USC, UCLA, Southern Utah University, UCSB, Cal State Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona and Citrus College. Many of Ken's students have attended summer festivals such as the Idyllwild Arts Academy, Interlochen Arts Academy, Julliard Summer Percussion Seminar, Northwestern University Percussion Symposium Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Brevard Summer Festival and Round Top Summer Institute. Previous students have gone on to attend the Julliard School, New England Conservatory, USC, Northwestern University, Shepherd School of Music, Boston University, Berklee College of Music and UCLA. Some are now professional performers and educators across the United States.
McGRATH PERCUSSION