Percussion Students Strike at International Conference
Eight students from the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Percussion Ensemble, accompanied by Assistant Professor of Percussion and Director of Percussion Studies Dr. Abby Fisher, attended the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis (November 14-17, 2024). The students included Abraham Arteaga, Michael Duran, Noah Garza, Maxwel Gran, Jacob Martinez, Corben Short, Juliana Thomas, and Ellis Williams.
PASIC is the largest percussion gathering in the world, bringing together percussionists, educators, and enthusiasts for four days of performances, competitions, clinics, and networking opportunities. The students competed in the University Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition, an experience that allowed them to showcase their talent and represent NAU on an international stage.
Percussion graduate certificate student Abraham Arteaga and junior percussion performance major Michael Duran were awarded prestigious PASIC scholarships (Jim Petercsak PASIC Scholarship for Abraham and James Campbell PASIC Scholarship for Michael). They were recognized at the Friday November 15th evening concert, received funding towards their travel, and free registration for the convention.
Duran and Corben Short (sophomore performance major) participated in the Individual University Concert Snare Competition. Their participation in this event provided them with a platform to further develop their technique, enhance their performance abilities, and receive valuable feedback from the judges.
Dr. Fisher, who serves as the director of the percussion ensemble, was also an active participant at PASIC. She was selected by the Percussive Arts Society University Pedagogy Committee to present a session on “Setting Up First Year College Students for Success” as part of the Presentations on Percussion Pedagogy sessions. Dr. Fisher is a member of the PAS Percussion Ensemble Committee, and assisted with the High School Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition.
In addition to her pedagogical work, Dr. Fisher performed in the Friday November 15th evening concert, sharing the stage with the internationally renowned percussion quartet Sō Percussion on the piece ‘Stay On It’ by Julius Eastman. The convention also was a moment of celebration for the NAU community, as Professor Emeritus of Percussion Dr. Steven Hemphill was awarded the PAS Lifetime Achievement in Education Award for his outstanding contributions to percussion education.
PASIC is a unique and invaluable experience for all who attend, and for the NAU percussion students, it was nothing short of transformative. The convention provided them with exposure to a wide range of performances, from solo recitals to ensemble concerts, and gave them access to clinics and masterclasses led by some of the most respected percussionists and educators in the world. The students also had the chance to network with peers and professors, forming connections that will help guide them in their future careers. Overall, attending PASIC was a milestone event for the NAU percussion students, broadening their artistic horizons and deepening their commitment to the percussion arts.
