Troy University Percussion Studio

The Troy University Percussion Studio currently consists of 37-undergraduate, music education and music industry majors. There are two-available undergraduate degrees (music education and music industry), and graduate students may obtain a master's degree in both areas, as well. Members of the percussion studio may participate in a number of ensembles, including: three symphonic bands, numerous jazz bands and combos, basketball pep-band, the “Sound of the South” marching band, and the award-winning Troy University Percussion Ensemble - winners of the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition.

The Troy University Percussion Ensemble is committed to performing numerous concerts per year, at an extremely high level.The ensemble was featured at the 2012 Alabama PAS Day of Percussion, at Spain Park High School, and have made several tour stops in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. As a result of winning the PAS 2012 "Call for Tapes," the ensemble performed a Showcase Concert at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, in Austin TX. The ensemble is currently preparing for the Spring '14 Tour, which will take us to Lassiter High School, Houston County High School, Smiths Station High School, Lowndes County High School, and Opelika Middle/High School.

Concerts include new, cutting-edge literature, as well as monuments from the 20th century. Recent programs have included works by prominent composers, including: Bob Becker, John Bergamo, Kevin Bobo, Michael Burritt, John Cage, Henry Cowell, Russell Hartenberger, Aurel Hollo, Alan Hovhaness, Brian Nozny, Steve Reich, Emmanuel Sejourne, Adam Silverman, David Skidmore, Steve Snowden, and Blake Tyson. The percussion ensemble has commissioned several works; two of these were premiered in March 2011 - "Migraine Sketches" by Kevin Bobo, and "Lines from Shelley: Song to the Waning Moon" by Traci Mendel. In the 2012 fall semester, the ensemble premiered four, new works at PASIC 2012; these works included: "Radio" by Kevin Bobo, "Africa Hocket" by Lane Harder, TRADITIONS I. The Winning Number... beFORe JOHN7 by Aurel Hollo/Zoltan Vaczi, "Parallel" by Brian Nozny, and "Perpetuum Mobile" by David Skidmore. The ensemble has recently received another work, which we commissioned from Kevin Bobo - ""Prayer for the Broken" for marimba duo. This will be premiered in April '14. Also, we have received a new work from Alejandro Vinao, for which we were on the commissioning consortium, started by the Eastman School of Music. "Water" is composed for percussion sextet and was premiered by the Eastman Percussion Ensemble at PASIC 2013. Most recently, we have news that we are joining a consortium to commission a new work from Adam Silverman. The consortium has been initiated by Dr. John Parks, from the Florida State University, and is scheduled to be completed in early 2015.

Every year, numerous guest clinicians visit Troy University in order to present concerts, clinics, and master classes for our students. Since 2008, these have included: Bob Becker, Kevin Bobo, Dr. Lane Harder, Dr. Greg Haynes, Dr. Russell Hartenberger, Dr. Scott Herring, Dr. Michael Kirkendoll, Dr. Mary Fukushima-Kirkendoll, Dr. Cilfford Leaman, Dr. Brian Nozny, Dr. John Parks IV, Dr. Tracy Thomas, Dr. Blake Tyson, and the members of SO Percussion (Eric Beach, Josh Quillen, Adam Sliwinski, and Jason Treuting). The 2013-2014 academic year will bring several guest artists to our campus, including: Dr. Andy Harnsberger, Dr. Julie Hill, Professor Tony Steve, Gordon Stout, Dr. Eric Willie, and Kevin Bobo.

If you have any questions regarding percussion studies at Troy University, please feel free to contact Dr. T. Adam Blackstock at tblackstock@troy.edu