Earlier this month, on Aug. 2, Rick Alegria’s Third Annual Drum Recital took place at Little Lou’s BBQ in Campbell.
With over 20 performances, students from all age ranges and abilities took to the stage to show off their skills. Between well known hits like The White Stripes’ “7 Nation Army,” an Ozzy Ozborne tribute and unique improv solos, a wide range of tunes echoed through the restaurant across the three hour recital.
The venue itself was packed to the gills, with performers and families crowded around a stage fitted with four separate drum kits.
Prior to his recitals at Little Lou’s, Alegria hosted smaller monthly showcases for his students.
“The fact that it’s only once a year makes it kind of more of a big deal,” said Alegria in an interview with the Los Gatan. “Getting out and playing for a lot of people is what they really want to do.”
Since starting to play drums in a band at age 14, Alegria has accompanied some notable names across his career as a professional musician. Between playing for Paul Williams and Bo Diddley, Alegria has toured the world and has lent his talents to documentary films.
When asked why he pivoted to teaching, Alegria cited the urge to perfect his craft.
“I’ve always wanted to grow as a musician,” said Alegria. “In order to teach somebody, you really have to know what it is that you are doing.”
Alegria has been teaching drumming to students since the 1970s, and currently serves as a member of the musical staff at the Harker School in San Jose. He teaches students from all age ranges and abilities, many of whom have disabilities such as Tourette’s syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
‘You become like one mind, and there’s a rush.’
—Rick Alegria, drum instructor
One of his former students, Ryan Miyahara, reflected on his experience learning to play drums with autism from Alegria.
“He was positive and very patient with my learning abilities,” said Miyahara. “Through him, I learned how to read music and learn some real metal. I even got to play rock songs.”
During their lessons, he and Alegria would play on two different drum sets at the same time. Additionally, Miyahara wore headphones to better listen to his drum kit. Miyahara has since participated in school bands and performed at Levi’s Stadium, where the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers play.
Outside of individual performances, Alegria organized a series of group performances at the recital—both on drum kits and sticks.
One exercise, named “3 Camps,” required students to hit their drum sticks together with shared tempo for an extended period of time. This exercise was modeled after early American soldiers who communicated across military camps using drum signals.
Experiences like these allow students to play alongside one another, despite many of the lessons being one-on-one.
“Sometimes when you’re playing music with other people, there’s a feeling that you get when everybody’s in sync,” said Alegria. “You become like one mind, and there’s a rush.”
The recital ended with another group performance, where students played drums and were accompanied by various vocals and guitars.
