About Colin Bell
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Colin Bell's love of music started right at birth. Being born into a family that was world renowned in traditional Scottish Bagpipe music, Colin grew up studying the culturally unique music of the Highland Bagpipe and Snare Drum at the age of 6, and still actively performs and composes for that genre to this day.
Once he entered high school, he intensively studied secondary instruments, composing, and was the first ever student composer in Old Bridge High School to compose the school's Alma Mater which is still performed to this day. Colin continued his musical career in college, studying music and music education at Kean University under the highly accomplished percussionist James Musto.
During this time, Colin also rehearsed, performed and toured on the snare line of the perennial Drum Corps International World Championship Finalist Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps for 3 years, from 2001 until aging out in 2003. Over these three years, he performed in summer long tours of the United States performing for audiences up to 30,000 people in venues such as:
- Buffalo Bills Stadium
- Giants Stadium
- The Indianapolis Dome
- The RCA Dome
- The Alamo Dome
- The Citrus Bowl
- The University of Wisconsin at Madison's Camp Randall Stadium
Colin also had the honor to study and work with such percussion instructors as Rich Viano, Jerry Carpenter, and Lee Hansen. Colin considers this one of the quintessential experiences in his musical career.
With his BA in Music Education from Kean University, Colin now continues his career as an active musician, composer, and educator. He performs with The Atmosferics regularly, a funk/blues/rock band from the New Jersey Area, and Echo Movement; an original reggae band from the Jersey Shore. Other groups that Colin performs with include:
- The Straight Ahead Jazz Quintet
- Gael Force (A Popular Irish Rock Band from New York City)
- The Kenmure Pipe Band (A Scottish Bagpipe Band)
Colin also serves as an active freelance musician, performing in many different musical productions such as musicals, holiday religious ceremonies, and pick up bands. His involvement in these different groups have led to some prestigious performances, such as performing at the 2004 Libertine Fashion Show in New York City, and opening up for Rod Stewart in local concerts in the area over the years.
In the compositional field, Colin is an established marching band arranger and instructor in the New Jersey area. All of his percussion programs have reached awards and recognition on the state level and beyond as the highest level of quality. Some of those programs include the local schools of:
- Morris Knolls High School, 2007 USSBA Group 3 Percussion Champions & Overall National Champions
- Rahway High School, 2007 USSBA Group 3A Percussion Champions
- Old Bridge High School
- Elizabeth High School
With Colin's guidance and writing ability, these groups have set new standards in the area of high school percussion performance.
Privately, Colin is also a well known private percussion teacher who adapts every lesson to suit the needs of the individual student. He has had private students from ages 6 to 50 who have all seen immense improvement and happiness in their musical skills after studying with him. With a skill for teaching many different types of personalities and skill levels, Colin can relate information to any student in the best method possible for that individual.
Through his experience of performance, composing, and educational programs; Colin performs, writes, and teaches music as a career and looks to bring quality music to people everywhere through the channels of performance, composition, and education.
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