Schwob Percussion Studio: A Season of Exciting Performances

Written by Diego Montes Images courtesy of Schwob School of Music

The Schwob Percussion Studio has opened its 2025–26 season with tremendous energy and artistry. Even before the academic year officially began, members of the studio joined forces with the Schwob Flute Studio for a featured performance at the National Flute Association Convention (NFA), where Dr. Paul Vaillancourt conducted the ensemble in a captivating collaborative concert that showcased Schwob’s spirit of innovation and teamwork. Then, on September 28, the studio participated in a commanding performance of the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story with Dr. Jamie Nix and the Schwob Wind Ensemble. The evening also featured Schwob’s own Diego Montes as soloist in William Kraft’s Timpani Concerto No. 1, a demanding and thrilling work that set the perfect tone for what promises to be a remarkable year. 

The momentum continues into October, with several important events that highlight both the range of our percussionists and the vitality of our community. On October 25, percussionist Gary Gordon presents his senior recital in the Studio Theatre—an intimate glimpse of his artistry, but also a bittersweet farewell as he prepares to leave Columbus for graduate school next year. Earlier in the season, one of our graduate assistants, Sebastián Ocando, showcased his versatility as a performer in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at the CSU Riverside Theatre, before stepping into the spotlight once again with Emmanuel Séjourné’s Marimba Concerto as soloist with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra—bringing one of the most celebrated works in the percussion repertoire to life. Closing out the month, Dr. Paul Vaillancourt and the Percussion Ensemble will perform in Salon at 6 at The Pearl, continuing a tradition of connecting percussion with wider artistic conversations and strengthening the bond between the studio and the Columbus community. 

In November, the studio expands its reach through recordings, collaborations, and national visibility. Students will prepare submissions for the prestigious SPHINX Competition, an essential step in developing professional musicians. Soon after, the studio joins Music Under the Dome at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, merging music with science and immersive visual experiences. On November 9, the studio presents its fall concert in Legacy Hall—an important showcase that will feature a special performance of Australian composer Nigel Westlake’s innovative percussion soundtrack to the silent film The Invisible Men (1906), produced by the legendary studio of the Pathe Freres. Later in the month, the Schwob Percussion Studio travels to PASIC in Indianapolis, the world’s largest percussion convention. As James Gatewood shared, “The thing I am most excited about is probably the opportunity to go to PASIC in November.” To close the fall, Sebastian Ocando performs the Séjourné Concerto with Prof. Sergiu Schwartz and the Virtuosi on Nov. 16^th.  

The excitement continues into spring 2026, when the Schwob Percussion Studio takes its artistry beyond Columbus. In March, the studio will embark on a residency at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, presenting multiple concerts for diverse audiences and leading educational events. Students will perform in high schools, offer demonstrations, and give masterclasses while having the opportunity to work with Atlanta Symphony principal percussionist Joe Petrasek in a masterclass setting. These opportunities not only showcase the excellence of our students but also represent what makes the Schwob School of Music so distinctive: the commitment to professional growth, community outreach, and collaboration at the highest level. Finally, in April, the studio returns home for another edition of Music Under the Dome and concludes the year with the annual Percussion Studio Recital in Legacy Hall—a culminating celebration of the creativity and dedication that defines our work. 

For many of our newest members, this year marks the beginning of their Schwob journey. Greg McKenzie explained, “I’m most excited to get to know the talented percussionists I’ll be working alongside and to expand my craft—not only in performance but also in understanding what sets apart a top musician from an ordinary one.” Molly added, “I chose CSU because of how well I will be prepared for my job in music when I graduate.” And as Kadyn reflected, “I chose CSU because of the high standards and expectations to which Schwob holds their students.” 

From symphonic stages to intimate salons, from local recitals to national conventions, the Schwob Percussion Studio continues to demonstrate the extraordinary possibilities of percussion performance. For audiences, it is an invitation to experience music that surprises, challenges, and inspires. For prospective students, it is a clear signal that at Schwob, percussionists are given the stage, the support, and the spotlight to thrive. 

To learn more about upcoming concerts, auditions, or applications, follow them on Instagram at @schwob_percussion and join them at Legacy Hall throughout the season.