Percussion Studio
Become a well-rounded percussionist and take the next step in your musical journey.
Welcome from the Director
Welcome to the A&M-Commerce percussion studio. Our percussion program prides itself on preparing students to become outstanding professionals in their selected careers. Utilizing a well-rounded approach to percussion, students are provided many opportunities here in Commerce. I hope that you will visit the campus soon to attend a concert, recital or clinic. You will see that there are great things happening in East Texas. Please browse through our entire site to learn more about the percussion program and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Featured News
TAMUC Percussion Alums Land University Appointments
A pair of alums from Texas A&M University-Commerce were recently hired in faculty roles at Texas universities. Dr. Caleb Pickering (B.S., Music Education, 2012) was named assistant professor of percussion at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Dr. Andrew Veit (M.M., Percussion Performance, 2012) was appointed as lecturer and percussion director at the University of Texas at […]
A&M-Commerce Percussion Ensemble Wins International Competition
The Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Ensemble, led by Dr. Brian Zator, was one of three winners chosen in in the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC) along with Indiana University and Florida State University. As a result of being selected, the ensemble is invited to Indianapolis this fall to perform a showcase […]
Lion Students Win Awards at Vocal Competition Held at A&M-Commerce
Several music students at Texas A&M University-Commerce received high marks at a recent vocal competition held at the university. A&M-Commerce hosted the spring competition of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In total, 219 students registered to compete in classical, musical theater and commercial music categories across several divisions. […]
A&M-Commerce Alum Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from PAS
Texas A&M University-Commerce alum Anthony Robinson was recently honored with the “Lifetime Achievement in Education” award by the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Robinson received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northwestern State University in 1975, and then earned his Master of Education degree with an emphasis in secondary education from East Texas State University […]
Several A&M-Commerce Students and Faculty Participate in DCI
Many students and faculty from Texas A&M University-Commerce participated in Drum Corps International (DCI) during the past summer. DCI has been a leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. The annual DCI Tour sees performance ensembles compete in a variety of competitive events. The following A&M-Commerce students […]
A&M-Commerce Music Student Reaches Semifinals of National Vocal Competition
Texas A&M University-Commerce student Evan June reached the semifinals of the National Student Auditions hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, held in Chicago from July 1-2. June reached the semifinal round after submitting a video audition in October 2021. His audition pieces were “Sea Moods” by Tyson, “Der Atlas” by Schubert and […]
A&M-Commerce Alums Represent Well at Band and Orchestra Conference
Several Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni represented their alma mater well at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. The Midwest Clinic is the world’s largest instrumental music education conference, drawing approximately 17,000 attendees annually to Chicago from all fifty states and as many as forty countries. In this year’s clinic, four A&M-Commerce percussion alumni […]
TAMUC Percussion Students Make Waves at Regional Competition
Students in the Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Studio performed well at the Tierras South Texas Percussion Competition in December. This first-annual competition saw high schoolers and university students perform their works on either keyboard or snare drum. A&M-Commerce students finished as follows: Ashton Carter – 1st place in the Collegiate Snare Drum CategoryGenevieve Trant – […]
TAMUC Students, Faculty and Alumni Shine at Percussion Convention
A strong contingent of students, faculty and alumni of Texas A&M University-Commerce had a stellar outing at the 2021 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). The convention ran from November 10 through 13 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Featuring concerts, clinics, panels and presentations given by the finest artists from all over the world, PASIC 2021 showcased […]
Distinguished Alum Returning to TAMUC for Music Clinic
Texas A&M University-Commerce Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Dan Moore is scheduled to return to campus on November 15 to give a music clinic to A&M-Commerce percussion students. Moore is a 1982 graduate of then-East Texas State University, where he studied under Robert Houston. Moore has served as the Director of Percussion at the University of Iowa […]
Ensembles
Percussion Ensembles I, II and III
The A&M-Commerce Percussion Ensemble has performed at state and international conventions including PASIC, TMEA and CBDNA. We are winners of the 2023, 2010, and 2000 PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition. We have recorded three CDs, titled “Epic Proportions,” “New and Unknown Percussion Works of Minoru Miki,” and “Phage.” In addition to world premieres, these ensembles perform a wide variety of pieces including standard percussion ensemble works, contemporary literature, keyboard ensembles, rags, classical transcriptions, jazz and pop arrangements.
Panimation Steel Bands I & II
The Panimation and Pan Rising Steel Drum Bands offer students a multi-cultural aspect to their college education. The bands are comprised of eleven sets of pans, drumset, hand drums and many accessory instruments. In addition to performing a concert with the Percussion Ensembles every semester, Panimation is in high demand to perform on campus, as well as outside the university. Many social organizations, high schools, junior high schools and elementary programs in the Northeast Texas and Dallas/Ft. Worth areas bring Panimation to perform for their students. Pan Rising encourages college students from any discipline to join the ensemble, regardless of experience level, with many of these students moving on to Panimation.
Drumline
The philosophy of the ensemble is to train students to perform at an extremely high level and develop an awareness for every instrument. The group performs one to two shows a year, allowing the ensemble to achieve a comfort level and knowledge of how to build a show from beginning to end, therefore satisfying both the performance and pedagogical side of performing in a top-level drumline. Current and former students have marched or taught in World and Open Class drum corps: The Cavaliers, Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, Troopers, Blue Knights, Phantom Regiment, Bluecoats, Carolina Crown, Boston Crusaders, The Cadets, Crossmen, Madison Scouts, Spirit, Glassmen, Pioneer, Genesis, Guardians, Academy and more.
Samba Leão Brazilian Ensemble
This ensemble provides a world drumming experience on our traditional Brazilian instruments. Formed in the 2009-2010 school year through a grant from the Student Organizations Allocations Committee, this ensemble performs various Brazilian musical styles on concerts and events on campus and throughout the community.
Other Performing Ensembles
Besides the various Percussion Ensembles, there are a myriad of performance opportunities with other musical groups. The university ensembles include Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Mane Attraction Jazz Band, Big Blue Cat Jazz Band, and the Pride Marching Band. Also, percussionists can perform in the North East Texas Symphony Orchestra, the A&M-Commerce University Singers, and various chamber groups on and off campus.
Audition Information
Undergraduate
Snare Drum
- One concert style solo or etude
Keyboard
- One 2-mallet or 4-mallet solo or etude
- Sight-reading a 2-mallet etude
Timpani
- One solo or etude
- Demonstrate knowledge of tuning
Drum-Set (Optional)
- Demonstrate 2-4 styles
Please prepare materials that will best demonstrate your abilities. Examples of appropriate repertoire include all-region etudes and solos from solo and ensemble competitions Please contact Dr. Zator with any questions regarding the appropriate repertoire.
Graduate
Snare Drum
- One concert style solo or etude
Keyboard
- One 4-mallet solo
- Sight-reading a 2-mallet etude
Timpani
- One solo or etude
Drum-Set
- Demonstrate 2-4 styles
Please prepare materials that will best demonstrate your abilities. Solo repertoire should be at a senior recital level. Please contact Dr. Zator with any questions regarding the appropriate repertoire.
Related Degree Programs
Contact Us
- Department of Music
- 903.886.5303
- [email protected]
- P.O. Box 3011