IU Jacobs School of Music percussion majors participated and competed in a host of events, and garnered first place awards in several categories, demonstrating world class skills and musicianship across the board.

Christopher Latournes was named Winner of the PASIC Orchestral Percussion Mock Audition. The judges included professional musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, and U.S. "President's Own" Marine Band.

Nick Taylor was awarded First Place in the PASIC Marching Festival Individual Competition, Collegiate Snare Drum Category, after performing a unique and awe-inspiring solo.

Colin Hill received a Second Place award in the highly competitive PASIC Marching Festival Individual Competition, Collegiate Keyboard Category.

Separate from the specific awards, the IU Drumline, under the direction of Joel Brainard, performed in the College Standstill Exhibition as part of the Marching Percussion Festival at PASIC. Although this was an exhibition, the drumline was adjudicated by the nation's most reputable marching percussion teachers and arrangers. The audience cheered as the IU Drumline loosened up the crowd, and demonstrated how much fun it can be to perform in a college drumline.

Finally, the Indiana University Latin Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Spiro was featured in a special performance for the Hall of Fame Celebration, and had the entire crowd of distinguished guests and artists on their feet, applauding their stellar performance.

BRAVO to all the wonderful efforts of the IU percussion students!

Equally inspiring was the leadership of Steve Houghton, President of PAS. He worked on the planning of PASIC for the last year, developed the incredible PAS museum, was involved in the Ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of Rhythm! Discovery Center, and was a keynote speaker on behalf of PAS. He presided over 2 PAS Board of Directors meetings; presenting budgets and bylaw changes. Steve also attended countless meetings with PAS committees and chapters, met with a number of artists invited to perform at PASIC, and presided over the PAS awards ceremony at the Thursday evening concert. Steve also presided over the Hall Of Fame Celebration and announced the awards at the Friday evening concert. He met regularly with Industry folks throughout the conference and welcomed the audience to the Saturday evening concert. Bravo (and thanks!) to Steve Houghton!

Congratulations to David Constantine, winner of the Assistant Principal Timpani/Section Percussion audition for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra which took place on October 26, 2009.

David is in the process of completing his D.M. degree in percussion at I.U.

Congratulations to Will Reno, winner of the Portland (Oregon) Opera Orchestra Principal Timpani Audition which took place on September 16, 2009.

Click here to view a live performance of the IU Percussion Ensemble!

On Saturday, April 4 the IU percussion department held an orchestra timpani mock audition with special guest Mr. Gerald Carlyss (former Principal Timpanist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and former Professor of Music at IU).

Legendary musician, teacher, and author Ed Soph presented a terrific and very informative clinic for IU percussion majors on March 4, 2009.