Texas Tech University Percussion Studio

It's been a busy and wonderful week for the 2024-2025 Texas Tech Drumline-ZIT! Also, many congratulations to former and current ZIT members that participated in DCI this summer: Zack Cavender-Blue Knights Snare Line, Tolliver Durbin-Guardians Tenor Line, and Javier Garza-Blue Knights Front Ensemble Instructional Staff.

Just around the corner is the start of a new academic year for the the Texas Tech Percussion Studio! We look forward to welcoming the following to the TTU Percussion Studio this year:

Undergraduates: Nathaniel Barraza, Jazael Garcia, Marissa Joy, Nate Mullins, Michael Rosero, Luke Van Arum, &
Jack Vongsamphanh

Graduates: Cody Otis & Meliza Reyes

GO TECH!

It's a great time to be a TTU Red Raider Percussionist! On the heels of the TTU Steel Drum Band's with members of the TTU Afro-Cuban Ensemble's successful performance tour in Valencia and Llíria, Spain, June 30-July 6, 2024, further kudos and bravos are in order for one member of the TTU Percussion Studio, Jacob Cauley, who is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance.

Jacob Cauley competed in the semi-final and final rounds of the Great Plains International Marimba Competition this weekend, July 12-July 13, 2024, and tied for first place and winner of the 2024 competition. What an incredible accomplishment-the TTU Percussion Studio is so proud of you!

The TTU Steel Drum Band "Apocalypso Now" with members of the TTU Afro-Cuban Ensemble recently returned from the Edeta Arts Percussion Festival in Spain. The ensemble performed several concerts receiving "Bravos" and a "Standing Ovation" as well as featured in a mass concert performing the work "Twelve Labors of Hercules" by renowned composer and percussionist Michael Udow.

Buen viaje!! It’s nearly time for the TTU Steel Drum Band “Apocalypso Now” and members of the TTU Afro-Cuban Ensemble” to begin their journey to Valencia, Spain to perform with other percussionists from around the world at the EDETA Arts Percussion Festival, July 1-July 6, 2024. https://edetaartspercussionfestival.com/

Please join the ensemble for their Lubbock “Sendoff Concert” on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the TTU School of Music Band Hall (011). You don’t want to miss it!

More wonderful news and congratulations to TTU Percussion Students!

Congratulations to Javi Garza, senior percussion music education and performance major, who was recently awarded Second Place in the 19 to 25 years of age instrumental division category of the Enkor International Music Competition!

Congratulations to TTU Perc. Alum Dr. Jon Ortiz, who accepted an assistant director of bands position at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas!

Congratulations to May 2024 doctoral degree graduate Dr. Taylor Burks, who accepted a college percussion teaching position at Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi!

Congratulations to Jacob Cauley, master's degree percussion student, who was recently selected to compete in the solo semi-final round of the Great Plains International Marimba Competition, July 2024!

It's a great time to be a Red Raider Percussionist!

It’s a Wrap!! The TTU Percussion Studio finished its Fall 2023-Spring 2024 year with many celebratory moments including student accomplishments and memorable music-making with more to come this summer!

The TTU Steel Drum Band with members of the TTU Afro-Cuban Ensemble were invited to & will perform at the upcoming EDETA Percussion Arts Festival in Valencia, Spain, June 1-June 6, 2024, https://edetaartspercussionfestival.com/ The group will have a “Sendoff Concert” in Lubbock on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the TTU School of Music Band Hall (011). You are all invited to attend this sendoff concert!

Kudos to wonderful presentations and performances by TTU Percussionists at the 2024 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, May 19-21, 2024, University of Texas at Arlington: Aurica Rising (presentation, “A Start on the Right Path: Maintaining Healthy Habits as a Student”), Anthony Flores (performance), Javi Garza (performance), & Paul Millette (performance). Also, kudos to TTU percussionists in the TTU Symphony Orchestra on their excellent performances in Mexico City and Xalapa, Mexico, May 15-May 18, 2024.

Congratulations to Spring/Summer 2024 TTU Percussion Graduates: (Newly minted Drs.) Dr. Taylor Burks, Dr. Mariah Taller, & Dr. Josh Watkins as well as undergraduates Peyton Forsythe (summer 2024), David Kath, & Ryan Pound.

Further Congratulations!!
Dr. Mariah Taller has accepted a college teaching position at Minot State University.
Ryan Pound has accepted at Graduate Teaching Assistantship to pursue a master’s degree in jazz performance at Texas Tech University.
David Kath has accepted an assistant band director/percussion specialist position at Quitman ISD.
Alum Christine Mollenkopf has accepted an assistant band director/percussion coordinator position at Argyle ISD.

Many thanks to world-renowned drumset artist Steve Houghton, who was our spring 2024 artist in residence, presenting fabulous masterclasses and performing spectacularly with our TTU Perc. Ensemble 1 members on their April 2024 concert.

The TTU Perc. Studio also enjoyed an end of the semester percussion studio gathering at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q complete with perc. studio BINGO and a studio “swap meet” of percussion items donated by TTU Perc. Alum Larry Hess.

It’s a Great Time to be a Red Raider Percussionist!

STEVE HOUGHTON IS AT TEXAS TECH IN LUBBOCK, TX!!
We cordially invite you either in person or virtually via live stream at www.ttu.edu/music to our Spring Concert on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 8:00 pm in the Texas Tech School of Music Band Hall-Rm. 011 featuring all our Percussion Ensembles and Steel Drum Bands with members of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONCERT NOT TO MISS AS IT ALSO FEATURES WORLD-RENOWNED DRUMSET ARTIST STEVE HOUGHTON & SPECIAL GUEST JOY HARRIS!!

TEXAS TECH PERCUSSION SPRINGS FORTH!
We cordially invite you either in person or virtually via live stream at www.ttu.edu/music to our Spring Concert on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 8:00 pm in the Texas Tech School of Music Band Hall-Rm. 011 featuring all our Percussion Ensembles and Steel Drum Bands with members of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONCERT NOT TO MISS AS IT ALSO FEATURES WORLD-RENOWNED DRUMSET ARTIST STEVE HOUGHTON & SPECIAL GUEST JOY HARRIS!!

The Texas Tech University (TTU) Percussion Studio has been hard at work during the spring 2024 semester with preparations for many degree recitals and ensemble performances. Spectacular guest artists and clinicians slated for this semester, thanks to the support of the TTU School of Music and the J. T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, include Orlando Cotto, the Metaphor Percussion Duo of Jordan Shippy and Vivienne Boudreaux, and Steve Houghton.

Orlando Cotto performed and presented a workshop on improvisation for the TTU Percussion Studio on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Metaphor Duo will be performing for the TTU Percussion Studio on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the TTU School of Music Band Hall.

The incomparable drumset artist Steve Houghton will be a featured guest with the TTU Percussion Ensembles and Steel Drum Bands during their upcoming concert on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 8:00 pm in the TTU School of Music Band Hall. He will also be presenting a clinic/masterclass on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 5:00 pm in the TTU School of Music Band Hall.

Congratulations to TTU Perc. Alum Staci Stokes Waites for the fabulous concert presentation at TMEA 2024 featuring her elementary school percussion ensemble the Neill Elementary Rockin' Longhorns. Thanks to current TTU Perc. Students and Alums for helping move equipment and/or supporting this concert!