When it comes to music education and performance, percussion director Sean Clark’s contributions extend far beyond the confines of the school music building.
Clark dedicates his time not only to the school ensembles but also to various projects under the Blue Devils Performing Arts, a prestigious nonprofit based in Concord, Calif., and his own quartet, Orphic Percussion. From mentoring young musicians to composing intricate percussion arrangements, Clark is a dynamic force in the local performing arts world.
Clark teaches in the Blue Devils Performing Arts program
The heart of Clark’s musical journey lies in his involvement with Blue Devils Performing Arts. Known for its excellent youth performance programs, the organization encompasses a diverse range of performing groups, including a Youth Wind Ensemble, Winter Percussion ensembles, a Winter Guard, a special needs Color Guard and three drum corps.
As a percussion instructor, Clark teaches the battery percussion alongside his colleague Chavadith Tantavirojn, who is another percussion instructor at Saratoga High. Additionally, Clark is the staff coordinator for the Blue Devils B Corps (BDB), which attracts talented musicians ages 14 to 19 who wish to reach the elite level of the Blue Devils A corps, which serves ages 18 to 21. There, he manages administrative logistics such as equipment and scheduling, while also overseeing musical and instructional staff.
The drum corps season is a rigorous commitment, stretching from camps every weekend in December to daily rehearsals, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., during summer months.
In June 2024, the Blue Devils A and B Corps went on their annual national tour, performing over 23 shows. They performed across the country in California, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee, in various colleges. Last August, the Blue Devils won third place at the Drum Corps International (DCI) in Indiana.
“The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps is probably the most prestigious in DCI,” Clark said. “They’ve won more world championships than any other group, which makes them like the Dodgers of baseball.”
Clark leads Thesis Indoor Drumline as Creative Director
In addition to his work with the Blue Devils, Clark plays a key role of creative director in Thesis, an indoor drumline program for musicians ages 18 to 22. This program functions under the Blue Devils Performing Arts and is based in Saratoga. Clark oversees every aspect of show design, from music and choreography to visual and costume design.
Clark usually finds inspiration for these shows by collaborating with the other percussion directors, brainstorming a message they want to show and teach their students. This year’s Thesis program is called Taboo, aiming to showcase various customs and rules about what society believes people should or shouldn’t do. The show begins by mimicking and following societal norms, then, as it nears its end, the musicians “go against societal expectations.”
Previously, he served as the program’s director for three years, managing auditions, logistics and funding. The group rehearses intensively from September through April, practicing 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. In 2023, Thesis was finally moved up to World Class, the highest division of percussion performance groups and made their first performance in Dayton, Ohio, at the WGI World Championships with their program “What We See.”
Logan Gecils, a senior in Thesis, credits Clark with creating an environment that pushes students to grow: “Mr. Clark is super understanding and incredibly helpful,” he said. “He has a way of connecting with everyone, creating a strong foundation of trust. That makes it easier to work harder and achieve great results.”
For Gecils, Clark’s influence extends beyond the classroom or rehearsal space.
“I first started percussion because of him, and he’s been with me every step of the way,” Gecils said. “He’s the one who inspired me to push further in this activity, and because of him, I became the first person in Saratoga battery history to make the Blue Devils — a dream he motivated me to achieve.”
Clark founds Orphic, a professional percussion quartet
In addition to all his teaching, Clark is an accomplished performer and composer. He co-founded Orphic, a professional percussion quartet. During his high school and college years, he won in multiple performances categories in the 2017 and 2018 Percussive Arts Society Northern California competition, from 2014 to 2019 — namely, duos, timpani and snare.
The quartet has performed professionally with numerous groups including the Fresno Community Chorus, Sequoia Symphony and Orpheus New Music Ensemble. The ensemble focuses on commissioning and performing new works, often collaborating with composers who aren’t as well known.
“Our mission with Orphic is to give a platform to composers whose music might otherwise be underrepresented,” Clark said. “We share their music through performances at schools and concert venues, and we often give workshops to students.”
Since the quartet tours annually, they performed in San Francisco on Nov. 3 and Oregon on Nov. 6.
“It’s always rewarding to not only perform but also engage with students who are eager to learn,” Clark said.
In upcoming months, Orphic plans on releasing an album they are currently recording. They also want to champion new works for percussion quartets and eventually sell that music. They plan to work on doing more commissions and hope to tour with regional orchestras that feature percussion quartets and various orchestras.
Clark composes for percussion groups
If all of this work wasn’t enough, Clark composes and designs for 15 to 20 marching band and winter percussion shows each year for schools such as Lynbrook, Cupertino and Los Gatos, as well as groups across the U.S. His expertise in creating captivating musical and visual experiences has garnered him respect as a collaborator in the pageantry arts scene.
“I love composing for clients because it allows me to create unique shows that challenge and inspire young performers,” Clark said.
Fellow music program director Jason Shiuan recalls first meeting Clark at an All-State Band event, where he immediately stood out.
“A lot of times, percussion managers kind of just sit in the back, but we noticed Mr. Clark was really actively working with individuals during rehearsals,” Shiuan said. “He was almost never sitting down, and we knew right away that we needed to recruit him.”
Since joining Saratoga High in 2018, Clark has transformed the percussion program with his organization, adaptability, and innovative ideas.
“He always has a different way of looking at something, which is really healthy for an organization,” Shiuan said. “It challenges us to think differently and improve.”
The two collaborate closely on marching band and concert band performances, often team-teaching and designing shows together. Marching band is an all-hands-on-deck activity, and Mr. Clark is a central voice in the planning process. Shiuan and Clark are also close friends, which makes the process more enjoyable for both of them.
Whether he’s mentoring students, composing music scores or performing with his quartet, Clark puts time and effort into working with colleagues to inspire young musicians. He believes in the transformative power of the arts, striving to create opportunities for aspiring musicians with a passion for music.
“It’s all about creating opportunities for young people to grow and find their voices through music,” Clark said. “That’s what makes all the hard work worth it.”
