Indies Only: Spevak Percussions Carrying On a Family Tradition

Vern Spevak is an accomplished musician with an impressive resume and a family legacy of 200 years of drumming.

He has performed with renowned musicians like jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Louie Bellson; Motown legend Mary Wilson; and Tonight Show host, Jay Leno. With assistance from his two children, Spevak now focuses on teaching his skills and love for music to the Oswego community.

specializes in teaching drumming and the percussive arts. Spevak defines percussion instruments as anything struck to produce a musical sound. Examples include: keyboards, marimba, xylophone, glockenspiel, timpani and other instruments from around the world.

Spevak believes his approach to teaching represents a “superior form for learning percussion instruments.”

Typical classes have four to six students of similar age and ability level. Students learn to interact musically with one another. This approach is utilized in many countries such as Africa, which is arguably where music began, said Spevak.

Spevak said he provides a relaxed and motivational environment.

“I adapt my style to the needs of each particular student…Sometimes I am a teacher and sometimes I’m a coach,” he  said.

Drumming has been in Spevak’s family for more than 2 centuries. Spevak said drumming was a huge influence in his early childhood. Family holidays always involved drumming. After Thanksgiving dinner, Spevak’s family wasn’t interested in football. Instead, the men all went to the basement to jam.

“That’s how I learned to play,” Spevak said.

Spevak toured for 14 years before deciding to give up the grueling schedule and settle down a bit. He was Director of Percussion Studies for 10 years at Naperville Central High School before opening his own percussion school.

Spevak teaches six days each week; students are age fourth grade to adult.

“Music is a universal language. … It’s a privilege to affect young people’s lives through music,” Spevak said.

In addition to loving music and teaching, Spevak also enjoys working alongside both his son and daughter. Aaron Spevak represents the seventh consecutive generation of professional drummers in the Spevak family. Aaron serves as Assistant Director of Spevak Percussion.

Aaron is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in music and studying in Linz, Austria. Aaron has already earned numerous distinctions and toured with top organizations.

Christina Spevak-Channell recently introduced a music program at Spevak Percussion offered to younger students. Spevak-Channell utilizes her degree in elementary education to create a music education program, PreCussion for Kids, Inc., designed for students kindergarten to third grade.  

“Joining the family business feels natural and I’ve combined my background of elementary education with my love for music,” Spevak-Channell said.

Mary O’Shaughnessy’s son and husband both take lessons with Spevak. O’Shaughnessy’s son, John, began lessons when entering sixth grade.

Spevak stressed the importance of learning percussion instruments, not just the drum. He realized the benefits and opportunities of knowing all the instruments, said O’Shaughnessy, whose son, a sophomore, currently performs with top orchestra and jazz band.

“Vern has a gift for teaching. He has a way of getting across to kids and is very encouraging. What really sets him apart is that his main focus is teaching, it is not just his side job,” O’Shaughnessy said.

Spevak Percussion Concepts, Inc. is located at 49 Stonehill Road. Contact Vern Spevak at 630-220-2311 or vernspevak@gmail.com