PAS Percussion Ensemble Competition & Festival
at UCF Celebrates the Arts
Monday, April 6, 2026
Hosted by Thad Anderson
University of Central Florida
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S. Magnolia Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
PAS Group Member
$250
Non-PAS Group Member
$400
Learn more about becoming a PAS Group Member here.
Registration will open at Noon Eastern on Monday, December 8th, and competition spots are expected to fill quickly. Space at each event will be limited, so directors should plan to reserve their spot as soon as registration opens in December, and have their group membership processed ahead of time (if seeking the member discount). All events are first-come, first-served. Only one registration per school/organization will be accepted up until one month prior to the chosen event.
Judges
Sympatico Percussion Group
Sympatico Percussion Group creates programs with entertainment and intrigue, virtuosity and poignancy, and appealing melodies and vibrant rhythms from around the world. Their diverse and eclectic repertoire includes rudimental drumming, ragtime xylophone, pop transcriptions and wonderfully uncategorized original compositions that embrace global streams of contemporary musical styles. Enthusiastic audiences exclaim that Sympatico concerts are “beyond imagination…absolutely engaging!”.
“Simpatico” is defined as “compatible; having shared attributes or interests,” and the Sympatico Percussion Group exhibits a true connection of musical backgrounds, aesthetics, and vision. Comprised of five like-minded individuals, Sympatico’s collective experience spans multiple decades as performers, composers, educators, and collaborators in the arts.
The group members draw from their many years of performing throughout North America and abroad with chamber ensembles, orchestras, military bands, and as soloists, in addition to considerable cumulative pedagogical experience holding college professorships.
Originating in 2008, Sympatico has performed for community, university and festival concert series as well as at several Percussive Arts Society events throughout the U.S. At the forefront is the ensemble’s commitment to education exhibited by their collective collegiate teaching experience which exceeds seventy-five years including appointments at The Ohio State University (Powell, Krygier), University of South Carolina (Herring), University of Northern Illinois (Beyer), and McMurry University (Mendoza).
Sympatico’s Spring 2025 season includes tours in Arkansas (Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Ouachita Baptist University), South Carolina/North Carolina (Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion, Fayetteville State University), and Colorado/Wyoming (ARTCORE Arts Series, Casper College, University of Wyoming, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Denver-Lamont School of Music, and the University of Northern Colorado.)
Additional Information
Questions? Please email membership@pas.org.
