Notable performances include the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Percussive Arts Society Ohio Chapter Days of Percussion at Capital University, Ohio Northern University, Youngstown State University, and Ohio Music Education Association Conferences in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. A central part of our mission involves collaborations with composers in the commissioning, premiering, and critically acclaimed recording of their works. Our 2005 release "Dark Wood" includes six premiere recordings and commissions. Our commission project with New York City-based percussionist/composer John Hollenbeck on his "Ziggurat" for five percussionists and four saxophonists, was premiered at the Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, and is available on his 2008 release "Rainbow Jimmies." The Youngstown Percussion Collective's 2012 release "Forms Of Things Unknown" is a concert-length suite by YSU professor of jazz studies, bass, and composition, Dr. Dave Morgan. Our 2012 recording of Ron Coulter's "Cajon Trio" will appear on an upcoming 2019 Coulter CD release.
Ron Coulter received his Bachelor’s degree and Master of Music Performance from the Youngstown State University Dana School of Music and is now the director of percussion studies at Casper College in Casper, WY. Jam Box was composed while Coulter was director of percussion at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and is dedicated to his students Nathan Staley and Nathan Kingery.
J.B. Smith received the B.M. in music education from Baylor University where he studied with Dr. Larry Vanlandingham, the M.M. in percussion performance from the University of Illinois with Tom Siwe, and the D.M.A. in percussion from the University of North Texas with Robert Schietroma. Smith is currently Director of Percussion Studies at Arizona State University. Slap Shift is based on Afro-Cuban folkloric drumming rhythms.
Samba! is a medley of several traditional Brazilian rhythms including “Baião” from the Northeastern, Bahia region and “Batucada” from southern Brazilian regions of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Glenn Schaft and the YSU Percussion Studio wish to thank Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Co., Remo Inc, Innovative Percussion Inc., and Black Swamp Percussion for their support.