Attention Customers & Students:
Lessons are available at SyracuseDrums.com! Books, sticks, apparel, and free music are also all available.
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Owner Biography
Patrick R. F. Blakley, Owner
E-mail: Patrick@SyracuseDrums.com
Website: SyracuseDrums.com
Patrick R. F. Blakley is a SAMMY award-winning percussionist from Syracuse, New York. He is a music judge for the New York State Field Band Conference and a certified percussion judge for Winterguard International. He also composed a percussion score and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2018! Blakley has written two technical marching percussion books, a children’s book called Drummy Drum Joins Marchy Band, and a young adult novel called Drummond which became an Amazon bestseller upon release! Patrick has also written a marching percussion technique and warmup method book that is utilized by over 100 schools across the US plus Canada and the UK! To date, PRFB.net Percussion & Pageantry Arts (the parent company of SyracuseDrums.com) has donated $952.65 in cash to help local communities and education! (Full biography available here.)
Hi-res Headshot
Lo-res Headshot
Hi-res SAMMY Awards
Lo-res SAMMY Awards
Hi-res Epiarch Drums Promo
Lo-res Epiarch Drums Promo
2019 SAMMY Awards photo credit: Jim Houle
Syracuse Drums Business Information
Business Name: Syracuse Drums Studio aka SyracuseDrums.com
DBA: PRFB.net Percussion & Pageantry Arts
Tag line: Where Syracuse drums!
Mission Statement: To improve the knowledge and abilities of students, instructors, and music programs by providing high-quality content or education at every level in a simple and enjoyable way.
Lesson Types: Drumset (any style), marching snare drum, marching tenor, marching bass, marching cymbals, concert snare drum, beginner marimba, beginner mallets, multiple hand-percussion instruments.
Special Programs: In-person lessons, in-person small group lessons, digital lessons, drumset setup/tuning service (in-home residential or commercial), drumset practice space rentals. 20-minute assessment lessons for only $15! Marching percussion consultation and percussion clinics are also available.
Syracuse Drums was created by Patrick R. F. Blakley in June 2008 as a custom drum manufacturing company. Originally the business was based in Camillus New York, and was called B Meson Custom Percussion. At the time Patrick built and sold custom-made drums across the country to customers from Massachusetts to California. In late 2010 the company moved to North Syracuse and expanded into a percussion studio featuring two main drumsets as well as almost every other percussion instrument including piano, mallets, and ethnic drums! After establishing its current location Patrick’s business rebranded as Syracuse Drums under the umbrella of the parent company PRFB.net Percussion & Pageantry Arts. He pivoted into teaching percussion as a consultant for several local high school music programs as well as drum and bugle corps and indoor percussion ensembles, as well as his primary focus: drum lessons! Today, Syracuse Drums is still located in North Syracuse, near Bear Road and Buckley Road, and attracts drum students from three counties as well as online from anywhere with digital drum lessons!
Sales copy:
SyracuseDrums.com: Where Syracuse drums!
Discover the Joy of Drumming with Personalized Lessons!
Limited Spots Available – Book Your Drum Lesson Now!
Fun and Engaging Lessons for All Ages!
Flexible Scheduling – Lessons That Fit Your Busy Life!
Join the Rhythm Revolution!
Book Awards & Nominations:
Blurbs, Reviews, Blogs & Testimonials
Patrick was a great instructor, great atmosphere to be in. This was my first time drumming, I really enjoyed my time and I couldn’t find a better place to start my drumming adventure, I highly recommend. -Fabio D.
Best studio and teacher I’ve found for my kid. The real deal. -Pete P.
My child was so happy and we are looking forward to the next lesson. -John S.
Patrick is the best drum instructor in Syracuse! He’s the best instructor I have ever dealt with. Anonymous Feedback Survey
My 8 year-old son has been taking lessons for nearly 3 months now and we cannot rave about it enough! The instructor is passionate and effective. My son can be self-deprecating at times, and Mr. Blakely has a way to ensure that even “mistakes” can be good! Always sends a summary for review at home. My son has been asking to increase frequency because he enjoys his sessions so much. Would highly recommend! -Sandy G.
Patrick is kind, knowledgeable, respectful, prepared, and equipped. -Anonymous Feedback Survey
Patrick is wonderful with children. He teaches on their level. My son learns so much while feeling engaged. Expectations have been exceeded. -Anonymous Feedback Survey
Patrick listened to what my son wanted from his lesson and tailored the lesson to him. -Anonymous Feedback Survey
Press Release
Drummond Novel Marching Band Season Press Release
Drummond, Young-Adult Music Novel Trumpets Upcoming New York State Marching Band Season
Author Patrick R. F. Blakley lifelong participant in New York State Field Band Conference
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — Drummond: Learning to find himself in the music is a young adult novel by Patrick R. F. Blakley, a native of Syracuse, New York. Blakley is a SAMMY award-winning musician who has participated in the New York State Field Band Conference for almost twenty-five years as a performer, instructor, four-time champion, and currently as a music judge. His novel utilizes marching band to help young readers find who they are inside, then use that information to fit in. The book will also help all readers get excited about the NYSFBC season that begins annually on the second Saturday of September. Competitions are held across the entire state on Saturdays and Sundays every week, with championships held annually on the last Sunday of October at the JMA Wireless Dome on the Syracuse University campus. Drummond tells the story of a young drummer who tries desperately to fit in by pursuing brass and woodwind instruments (with the help of some new friends). After some humorous and frustrating failures, he eventually realizes he fits nicely in the drumline and that this solution was staring him in the face all along. The story is loosely based on Blakley’s own experience joining marching band and the NYSFBC as a teen. At release, the eBook became an Amazon.com #1 best seller in four different categories. The novel has also received several five-star professional reviews and multiple book awards.
PRFB.net is an all-things percussion resource based in Syracuse, New York. The website features free sheet music, publications, apparel, and in-person studio lessons. Marching percussion consultation and show design are also available through the site as well as WGI winterguard audio editing services. Blakley’s percussion music and WGI sound designs have been utilized by groups all across the country.
Learn how to find yourself in the music at PRFB.net/Drummond
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Inquire for review copies of Drummond (electronic and print copies available)
Drum Lesson Sell Sheet
Click the thumbnail on the left to view or download the Drummond sell sheet PDF.
Inquire for review copies of Drummond (electronic and print copies available)
What helps this book stand out are its two main unique ingredients: An atheist main character, and a marching band theme! Both of these elements are uncommon among fiction novels, not to mention the young adult genre. Diversify your bookshelf with Drummond and let your readers expand their horizons as they learn to find themselves in the music!
Note: The New York State Field Band Conference Championships is held in Syracuse, NY on the last Sunday of October every year! This is always a great time to have some stock on display to capture any attending band members and parents throughout the weekend. The activity brings in thousands of students, family, staff members, and fans from across the entire state (including Long Island) and pulls in two-dozen judges from across the country! It’s also a perfect time to sell for Christmas!
Interview Resources / Sample Q&A
Sample questions with sample answers coming soon!
