ABOUT
Versatility, Technical Ability, and Musical Sensitivity.
Currently playing Drums and Percussion on the UK and Ireland Tour of Sister Act.
With strong technical understanding and ability, Mike is an exciting and versatile drummer, with experience playing in musical theatre productions all around the globe. With special focus in sight reading and interpretation, Mike quickly uses ears and artistic licence to go beyond the written dots and bring unique, musical excitement to each chart, and every performance.
Professional theatre credits include: Sister Act (London & UK Tour), Grease (London), 9to5 (UK Tour), Dreamgirls (UK Tour), The Osmonds (UK Tour), and Jersey Boys (International Tour).
A proud long term student of one of the world's leading and most exclusive drumming educators, Bob Armstrong, Mike takes from this time musical awarenesses, solid time, and technical touch.
Mike has worked as Musical Director for the Ultra Luxury, Seabourn Cruise Line, leading different orchestras and casts through a multitude of different production shows - including working with star of TV's "Glee", and recent Broadway "Elphaba" (Wicked), Lindsay Pearce.
Stylistically versatile, outside of the theatre Mike is experienced in almost every conceivable genre of music; including jazz, latin, reggae, pop/rock, funk, and big band, and has a wealth of experience with original projects and function / cover projects alike. Armed with quick thinking and an attentive ear, Mike is able to jump in, even at an unrehearsed last minute and blend smoothly into the performance.
NOTABLE PROJECTS
A selection of favourite shows, performances, and contracts over the years.
9TO5: THE MUSICAL
SISTER ACT
GREASE
London (Deputy)
DREAMGIRLS
UK Tour (Deputy)
JERSEY BOYS
International Tour
THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
International Tour
AN EVENING WITH SIR TIM RICE: LIVE
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
Musical Director
Mike McPhrazier Drums - Show Reel 2020
Jersey Mix 1 Minute Drum Mix
9to5 ShowReel
CURRICULUM VITAE
9to5: THE MUSICAL
UK Tour
Ambassador Theatre Group
Musical Director: Dean McDermott
Musical Supervisor: Mark Crossland
SISTER ACT
London & UK & Ireland Tour
Jamie Wilson Productions
Musical Director: Neil MacDonald
Musical Supervisor: Stephen Brooker
GREASE
London (Deputy)
InTheatre Productions
Musical Director: Dan Glover
Musical Supervisor: Sarah Travis
DREAMGIRLS
UK Tour (Deputy)
Sonia Friedman Productions
Musical Director: Simona Budd
Musical Supervisor: Nick Finlow
THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL
UK Tour (Deputy)
Royo Entertainment
Musical Director: Will Joy
Musical Supervisor: Rich Morris
AN AUDIENCE WITH SIR TIM RICE - LIVE
Exclusive Performance
Seabourn Sojourn
Musical Director: Jimmy Miyamae
Musical Supervisor: Duncan Waugh
JERSEY BOYS
International Tour
Selladoor Worldwide
Musical Director: Matt Abrams
Musical Supervisor: Mark Crossland
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
International Tour
Popular Productions
Musical Directors: Anthony England / Spencer James
Musical Supervisor: John Payton
PANTOMIME
Cinderella, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White
The Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth - Paul Holman Associates
Harlequin Theatre, Redhill - Paul Holman Associates
The Broadway Theatre, Catford - Prime Pantomimes
Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Qdos Entertainment
CRUISE LINES
-Seabourn Cruise Line
-Celebrity Cruises
Seabourn Cruises
Musical Director - Seaboard Odyssey
Musical Director - Seabourn Sojourn
House Band Musician - Seaboard Odyssey
Celebrity Cruises
Orchestra / Showband Musician - Celebrity Equinox
NOTABLE ARTISTS
Various Capacity
Beverley Knight, Sir Tim Rice, Chesney Hawkes, Lindsay Pearce (Glee / Wicked; Broadway), Louise Redknapp, Anita Dobson, Bernie Clifton, Claire Sweeney, Charlton Pettus (Tears for Fears), Eban Brown (The Stylistics), Lee Latchford Evens (Steps), Jonathan Ansell (X-Factor / G4), Lloyd Daniels (X-Factor).
OTHER WORKS
Tours, functions, recording, educating
-UK Tours with Eban Brown (The Stylistics).
-European Tours with Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges.
-Worldwide recording and performances with original project; El Born.
-Previously “Head of Drums” at Tunbridge Wells Music School.
EDUCATION
Academy of Contemporary Music - Guildford
2007-10
-Higher Diploma in Music Performance - Distinction
-BA Honours Degree in Music Performance
RECORDING
Mike is available for session recording, both on location in the studio, or remote from his own home. Whichever setting, whatever style, you will be provided with a professional performance, in a timely manner.
Please have a listen to the examples of Mike recording in both situations below.
On Location
In the studio
Punctual and professional, and always equipped with high quality equipment to get the best sound for your recording. Your time is of upmost importance in a studio, and so wether reading from charts, or creating by ear, the job will always be completed quickly, and musically.
Hear examples of Mike in the studio, below:
Remote
Quality recording delivered to you
Remote home recordings are carried out using a combination of high quality Roland V-Drums, and the powerful VST software, "Addictive Drums 3". You can choose to receive mixed or dry audio, or raw MIDI data, for ultimate editorial control.
Hear examples of Mike's remote home drum recording, below:
To enquire about recording for your project please email here, or use the website contact form to get in touch.
TEACHING
Dependant on touring, and where schedule allows, Mike is occasionally available to take on a limited number of select students. Having previously studied at Masterclass Studios for seven years with legendary instructor, Bob Armstrong, Mike has a rare and in depth understanding of technique, including the widely misunderstood "Moeller System".
Areas of study include:
-Technique: specialising in in-depth Moeller Technique, in both Traditional and Matched Grip.
-Rudiments: conceptual understanding, and musical application.
-Styles: Jazz, Latin (Afro Cuban, Brazilian...), Reggae, Pop, and more.
-Theatre drumming: real life chart examples to cover and study.
-Sight reading: thinking fast and reading charts on the spot.
-Chart interpretation: how, when, and why to go beyond the dots.
-Improvisation and creativity: flowing musically from within.
-Gig preparation.
Mike was previously Head of Drums at Tunbridge Wells Music School, where he was consulted on early development of the Backbone Drums series of educational books, and contributed towards much of the current syllabus, as well as the revolutionary "Drummables" follow up children's book. Prior to this Mike studied for three years at the Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford, where he received both a Higher Diploma, and a BA Honours Degree in music performance.
Years of study, which continue to this day, have provided an in depth knowledge of technique, vocabulary, and theory. This enables Mike to take a student's goals and aspirations, and quickly develop a sensible and focused path to navigate the complicated modern day education minefield, and provide efficient results for both student and teacher.
Qualifications
-Higher Diploma in Music Performance - Distinction
ACM, Guildford - 2008
-BA Honours Degree in Music Performance
ACM, Guildford - 2010
GET IN TOUCH
For any enquiries please use the comment form below.