Inaugural Percussion Clinic for High School Students

JONESBORO – A-State Bands and the Department of Music are announcing the inaugural Percussion Clinic for High School Students on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center, 2412 Quapaw Way.

This is a free clinic open to all high school percussion students and their directors.  It is being offered by Dr. Craig Collison, associate professor of percussion.  This clinic is designed for senior high school percussionists wishing to audition for All-Region/All-State Band.

By taking part in this clinic, students will receive expert musical advice concerning the snare drum, keyboard and timpani etudes for the All-Region/All-State auditions. Participants also will have the opportunity to interact with current A-State students who are percussion majors and hear a performance by the renowned Percussion Ensemble. 

Collison and Dr. Timothy Oliver, director of bands, state, “We are excited to host this free, educational and musical event and hope that band directors and their percussion students will consider joining us.  We look forward to their participation in the inaugural A-State Percussion Clinic.”

Also director of the Percussion Ensemble, Collison is a proponent of developing the complete percussion student.  He has expertise in virtually all of the percussion arts both as a performer and teacher. He has been recognized for his skill as a concert, orchestral, marching and jazz percussionist.

Before he came to A-State, Collison was a percussionist with the U. S. Air Force Concert Band from 1985-1996.  A native of Washington, he received his bachelor’s degree from Washington State University, then his master’s degree from the University of North Texas.  He completed his doctoral residency at the Eastman School of Music.  In addition to his duties at A-State, Collison is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator. He is also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team.

All high school percussion students may attend this clinic, with or without their directors.  To register, interested individuals should email ccolliso@astate.edu with name of director, high school, director's attendance plan, and name(s) of percussion students and year in school.  Directors will receive a confirmation email.  The registration deadline is Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m.

Students will not need their instruments for this clinic; however they may wish to bring copies of their music.

For more details, one may contact Collison at (870) 972-3769 or Oliver at (870) 972-3811.

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