University of Tennessee Percussion Festival
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Hosted by Andy Bliss
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
1741 Volunteer Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37996
PAS Group Member
$250
Non-PAS Group Member
$400
Learn more about becoming a PAS Group Member here.
Only one registration per school/organization will be accepted up until one month prior to the chosen event.
Judges
Hector Gil
Hector Gil is a percussion education consultant and percussion curriculum designer for various secondary programs throughout the U.S. Most recently, he served as Director of Percussion at Vista Ridge High School and Henry Middle School from 2008 to 2024, where his students achieved numerous national accolades that include being named The TMEA Invited Percussion Ensemble Winner (2023 – Vista Ridge), The TMEA Honor Band Winner (2024, 2018, 2014, 2010 – Henry MS), The Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition Winner (2018 – Vista Ridge), The Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition Winner (2014 – Henry MS), The Black Swamp Percussion Ensemble Showcase Winner (2017, 2022, 2024 – Vista Ridge), The Texas 6A UIL State Marching Band Champion (2018 – Vista Ridge), The Midwest International Clinic Performer (2014 – Vista Ridge), The Midwest International Clinic Performer (2022, 2016, 2012, 2010 – Henry MS), The Bands of America Grand National Championship Finalist (2021 – Vista Ridge), numerous finalist performances at UIL State and BOA Championships, and was a “Tournament of Roses” Parade Participant (2023 – Vista Ridge).
Hector attended Texas A&M University – Commerce where he received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2001. He marched the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in 1997 and 1998 as a member of the snareline. He was also a member of the 2000 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition winning collegiate ensemble with the Texas A&M University – Commerce Percussion Ensemble. He has been extremely fortunate to study from some incredible teachers that include Carlos Gil, Dr. Brian West, Bobby Francis, Bill Bachman, Dr. James Yakas, and Matt Savage.
Hector began his teaching career as the Director of Percussion at United High School in Laredo, TX (2002-2005), then moved to Fort Worth to be the Drumline Instructor for the Texas Christian University “Horned Frog” Marching Band (2005-2007), then as the Director of Percussion at Vista Ridge High School (2008-2024). In 2022, he served as the Percussion Caption Head for the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Drum Corps.
In addition to his consulting duties, Hector is an avid percussion arranger and adjudicator for various high schools across the country. His professional affiliations include The Percussive Arts Society, Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and he is a proud artist with Innovative Percussion and Sabian Cymbals.
Eric Willie
Described as “unstoppable,” Eric Willie has a varied career as a percussion soloist, orchestral player, and teacher. His solo performances have occurred throughout the United States, Russia, Brasil, and Colombia, in addition to music festivals throughout the United States. A long-time educator, Eric has appeared at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention (PASIC), the Midwest Clinic, as well as several days of percussion and music educator conventions.
Currently a section percussionist with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Eric additionally performs as an extra performer with the New Hampshire Music Festival and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. Most recently as a Fulbright Scholar, Eric studied the Maracatu Nações in Recife, Pernambuco Brasil, and served as a Regency Professor at the Universidade Federal do Pernambuco for contemporary percussion studies.
Within the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Eric has served on the PAS Board of Advisors, as Chair of the PAS International Percussion Ensemble Committee, and a New Literature/Recordings Reviewer for Percussive Notes. His percussion ensembles have been named winners of the 2015 and 2021 PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competitions. Currently, Eric serves as Professor of Percussion Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he was awarded the UNC Board of Governors Teaching Award in 2024.
He has published chapters and articles in GIA Publications, Percussive Notes, and the Instrumentalist; and his compositions appear in the catalogs of Musicon, Ox and Lamb, Row-Loff, and TapSpace. Eric is proud to serve as an artist endorser for Tama/Bergerault, Zildjian, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Black Swamp.
Additional Information
Questions? Please email Mandy Smith at msmith@pas.org.
