Washburn University Percussion Group Places First in Collegiate Ensemble Competition for Kansas Percussive Arts Society 2023 Solo/Ensemble Competition

      Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University percussion group won first place in the Collegiate Ensemble Competition at the Kansas Percussive Arts Society (KPAS) 2023 Solo/Ensemble Competition Saturday, April 8. The competition took place at Derby High School in Derby, Kan.

      The Washburn University percussion group is comprised of students Cameron Arnold, Daniel Buller, Miles Moore and Simon Walrod under the direction of Dr. Von Hansen, president of the Kansas chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and assistant professor of percussion, Washburn University. They performed “The Whole Toy Laid Down” by David Hollinden.

      “I specifically chose this piece because my former professor is familiar with David Hollinden’s compositions and came to Washburn to observe us. I knew he would be able to give the group great insight on their performance,” said Hansen.

      The group dedicated a lot of practice to perfecting their performance of the intricate transitional piece. The instrument set-up for the competition took one hour for a 15-minute performance. 

      “This piece is one of the hardest pieces ever written for percussion in my opinion,” said Moore, a junior at Washburn University. “The fact that we were able to come together, complete a clean performance and win a competition on top of that is amazing.”

      “For me, it has been a great experience directing these students,” said Hansen. “They are so motivated and this group is like a family; they really support each other.”

      The Washburn University percussion group is now preparing for the annual Percussion Picnic which will take place 6:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, April 20 outside of the Mulvane Art Museum on the Washburn University campus. This event is free and open to the public.

      KPAS is a chapter of the Percussive Arts Society which is the largest percussion community in the world. The KPAS 2023 Solo/Ensemble Competition was created so that percussion college students in Kansas would have a chance to display their skills and meet other percussion ensembles within the state.

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