Washburn University Percussion Festival

Washburn University
2023 Percussion Festival
Guest Clinician
Dr. Andrew Spencer (Central Michigan University)

March 23, 2023
Washburn University

• Coaching sessions (no scores given)
• Early Evening concert by Washburn University

Coaching Session: Each group will get a 30 minute group coaching session with Dr. Andrew Spencer (see bio below).

Evening Concert: featuring the Washburn University Percussion Group and Dr. Andrew Spencer.

Registration: Schools can bring more than 1 group. First 10 schools to register will be guaranteed 1 spot with Dr. Andrew Spencer. After the 10 spots are full, a second collegiate level clinician will be announced for remaining groups. If these 10 spots fill up schools bringing more that one will be asked to choose which group works with Dr. Spencer and which works with our other clinician.

Fee: $200 for first group, $150 for additional groups. Payment information will be given on completion of the registration form.

You may register at the following link https://bit.ly/percfest23

Please contact von.hansen@washburn.edu with any questions.

TESTIMONIALS FROM LAST YEAR
“As a school with a young and newly formed percussion ensemble, the Washburn Percussion Festival allowed my students to build their confidence. Direct and positive feedback was given to each of the students that allowed them to improve and grow as musicians and as an ensemble before the KSHSAA Regional and State Festivals. I will definitely send my students again.”
-Chris Reynolds, Highland Park High School

“The clinicians at the Washburn Percussion Festival were fantastic. They understood how to relate and teach young students in an effective way. Their feedback was helpful not only to my students, but opened up new ideas to myself as a director”.
-Emory Dease, Seaman High School

Andrew Spencer holds the position of Professor of Percussion at Central Michigan University. An active recitalist and clinician, he has performed as a soloist in the United States, Poland, Japan, Canada, and Costa Rica. In 1999, he released Slender Beams, a recording that features works by composer Dave Hollinden. Spencer has also premiered works by David Gillingham, Mark Polishook, Samuel Adler, Robert May, and Henry Gwiazda, among others.

Equally experienced in orchestral performance, Spencer is the Principal Timpanist for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and the Principal Percussionist for the Midland Orchestra. Additional positions have included timpanist and principal percussionist positions with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Cascade Festival Orchestra, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, and Fargo-Moorhead Civic Opera Company. He has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Spokane Symphony, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In addition, he has performed with numerous chamber ensembles throughout the United States, and plays drum set with the Central Michigan University Faculty Jazz Ensemble, with whom he has recorded the albums Caught In The Act and Conspiracy Theory.

Spencer received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in percussion performance, and studied with Dr. Terry Applebaum at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in percussion performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied with John Beck. In addition, Eastman granted Spencer the coveted Performer’s Certificate as a percussion soloist.

During his time at Central Michigan University his percussion ensemble has been selected two times to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. This is one of the most competitive ensemble competitions for collegiate ensemble and an amazing accomplishment to achieve twice.