Shepard percussion ensemble spreads some holiday spirit

The percussion ensemble Flam and Cheese, a group comprised of band students from Shepard High School and junior high schools in Worth, Alsip and Crestwood, has performed at several community holiday events in recent days.

Flam and Cheese performed its Christmas program titled “Christmas Cheese,” caroling with drums at the Palos Heights Public Library, The Centre in Palos Park, the Tinley Park holiday market, and Evergreen Park Dickens Festival. 

Directed by Shepard graduate Tom Gilman, a music teacher and clinician, Flam and Cheese Percussion Ensemble offers a supplement to band instruction.  Students from Shepard, Prairie Junior High School, Worth Junior High School, and Nathan Hale Middle School comprise most of the 27 members of Flam and Cheese.

“The goal of Flam and Cheese is to enhance musical standards and introduce young percussionists to a  new style of playing,” said Shepard band director Chris Pitlik. “By participating in this ensemble, students increase their knowledge of percussion by playing a number of different instruments and styles.”