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MKE Percussion Festival + Wisconsin Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion
April 11 – April 12
Dates
Friday, April 11, 2025 (7:30–9 p.m.)
Saturday, April 12, 2025 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Ages
All Ages
Contact
percussion@uwm.edu
This year’s joint MKE Percussion Festival and Wisconsin Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion brings together percussionists of all ages for a weekend of educational and performance opportunities. Attendees will be able to learn from guest artists about a variety of topics, instruments, techniques, and musical styles related to percussion in addition to listening to, and participating in, performances and workshops. All events are designed to be accessible and inclusive to empower and inspire all participants on their percussive journey.
Schedule & Guest Artists
All events are free to participate in.
| Saturday, April 12 | Event | Guest Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | K-12 Solo & Ensemble Festival (register below) | – |
| 9–9:50 a.m. | Scottish Drumline | Celtics Nations |
| 10-10:50 a.m. | Brazilian Samba Drumming | Jorge Alabê |
| 11–12:20 p.m. | Bach on the Wrong Instrument | Sean Kleve |
| 12:30–1:20 p.m. | Successful Audition Preparation | David Pickar |
| 12:30–1:20 p.m. | Jazz Drum Set | Devin Drobka |
| 1:30–2:50 p.m. | Building Confidence with YOUR Interpretation | Gwendolyn Dease |
| 3–3:50 p.m. | Dominican Republic Drumming and Traditions | Jean Carlo Ureña González |
| 4–5 p.m. | Closing Showcase Concert | – |
Performances (Friday & Saturday)
Join us for two public performances as part of the festival activities. For the MKE Mass Steel Band, if you are a pan player who owns your own instrument and would like to participate, please contact percussion@uwm.edu.
| Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|
| Friday, April 11, 2025 (7:30–9 p.m.) | Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Bader Hall and Virtual |
Steel pan ensembles and individual performers from around Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota will come together to form the 2025 MKE Mass Steel Band, hosted by the UWM Steel PANthers Steel Band. Involving over seventy performers, the event will fill the stage with steel pans and feature a lively combination of traditional music and pop transcriptions. This year’s program will also feature Liam Teague, an internationally renowned steel pan performer, educator, composer, and arranger.
| Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|
| Saturday, April 12, 2025 (4–5 p.m.) | Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts, Bader Hall and Virtual |
This final performance of the MKE Percussion Festival features the UWM Percussion Ensembles and selected outstanding K-12 solo and ensemble performers from the morning session.
K-12 Solo & Ensemble Registration
To participate in the solo and ensemble performance opportunity individuals and ensembles must register by Monday, April 7 to receive a time slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We encourage you to bring some sticks and mallets as there may be opportunities to play throughout the day. It also never hurts to have hearing protection handy just in case it is needed to maintain a healthy environment.
Absolutely – the MKE Percussion Festival is open to everyone!
Yes, you can attend as much of the MKE Percussion Festival as you like.
No! the MKE Percussion Festival is completely free to attend.