A&M-Commerce Percussion Ensemble Wins International Competition

A person plays a drumset while another person plays a percussion instrument in the background.

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Percussion Ensemble, led by Dr. Brian Zator, was one of three winners chosen in in the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC) along with Indiana University and Florida State University.

As a result of being selected, the ensemble is invited to Indianapolis this fall to perform a showcase concert at the PAS International Convention.

The competition requires groups to send in anonymous audio recordings that are scored by five judges, with the winners getting a performance spot at the yearly PAS convention.

A win in the IPEC is the pinnacle achievement a college percussion ensemble can earn, and submissions are received from around the world. A&M-Commerce now joins the prestigious ranks of programs to have won the competition twice, as the Lions also received a convention invite following the 2010 IPEC.

The 2023 PAS International Convention will be held November 8-11, 2023 in Indianapolis, Ind. Learn more about the convention and the A&M-Commerce Department of Music.

(Pictured: Adam Whoolery in the foreground, Carmen Lopez in the background)