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Practice Makes Perfect For
This Performing Arts Alum
It’s mid-morning and David Agee is just rolling out of bed. He’s not a lazy college student. The former Clemson performing arts major played a jam session that didn’t kick off until 1:30 a.m. the night before. “I was studying,” he says jokingly, an explanation that makes perfect sense. David is a graduate student in jazz performance (drum/percussion) at Chicago’s DePaul University, where his daily schedule is similar to a professional jazz drummer. He sleeps until 10:00 a.m. in the morning, has mid-day practice sessions, evening band rehearsals, and late night performances.
David is quick to explain that he’s playing more than ever, even if he’s not missing much sleep. “I’m definitely getting more sleep than when I was at Clemson. My day starts later, so I sleep later. But once I’m up, I go late into the night,” David explains. “I play three to five hours everyday.” I’m a member of the DePaul University Jazz Orchestra, play in a couple of small jazz groups, and take private lessons. I’m booked solid.”
In addition to playing more, graduate studies offers David the chance to focus totally on music. “I got a well-rounded education at Clemson,” he explains, “but now I concentrate exclusively on music. All my academic classes are music courses—Jazz Theory and Analysis, Jazz History, and Jazz Pedagogy. I’m taking subjects that really excite me. No more Economics 101.”
A native of Hilton Head Island, SC, David received his first drum set in 1992 when he 
was six years old. He selected Clemson because the Production Studies in Performing Arts program offered interaction with students in other disciplines, individual attention, and the opportunity to play as a member of Tiger Band. “Being on the field is a chance of a life time.”
During his Clemson days, he not only performed in Tiger Band but in the Clemson University Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble and Steel Band, as well as the Symphonic Band and Pep Band. He even performed in a couple of Clemson Players productions. “I played drumset and percussion in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Urinetown,” David recalls.
He served as the assistant section leader of the drumline and as a member of the Performing Arts Student Council. In 2007, David earned a spot on the highly selective Disneyland All-American College Band and spent the summer performing at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. “That was definitely one of the highlights of my time at Clemson.”
When asked how he likes living in the Windy City, David says, “Chicago is great. The music scene is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been to a Blackhawks hockey game, and I can’t wait to cross the Bulls, Cubs, and Bears off my list of things to do. I love Chicago-style pizza and hotdogs, too. I could do without the winter weather. Battling the cold is more of a mental thing. You can’t let the cold get in your head. As long as you prepare yourself with many, many layers and have a positive attitude, the winter becomes tolerable.”
As for this summer, he plans to remain in Chicago. He’s just earned a spot playing drumset and percussion in the pit orchestra at the Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, Ill. He also plans to perform with various groups around town and continue private lessons.
When thinking about life after graduate school, David’s like most jazz musicians, he’ll improvise. “I’m not too sure,” he says. “Maybe I’ll work on a cruise ship with a few of my musician friends for a while. I’m excited about the chance to travel and I’ve heard they’re lots of fun. I’ve got some time to think about it. I’ll see what develops.”
Until that day comes one thing’s for sure, David will keep practicing, honing his craft late into the night. “You know, practice makes perfect,” he says with a smirk.
