For Immediate Release: July 12, 2005

Percussion Music Composers Honored in Annual Composition Contest

The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) recently announced the winners of the 32nd Annual Percussion Composition Contest. Compositions were submitted for this year's categories of percussion ensemble for 8-12 players and multiple percussion solo with CD accompaniment.

David Skidmore, Evanston, Ill., placed first in the percussion ensemble category for his composition entitled "Whispers." He won $1,500 and publication of his score by C. Alan Publications. Skidmore won second place in last year's percussion quartet composition contest for "Echoes."

Nathan Daughtrey, Greensboro, N.C., won second and third place for "Limerick Daydreams" and "Adaptation," respectively. He received cash prizes of $500 and $250.

James Campbell, Lexington, Ky., placed first in the multiple percussion solo category with "Garage Drummer," and won $1,500 and publication by HoneyRock Publishing. Each year, the first place solo composition is the required work for the PAS International Solo Percussion Competition final round. Accordingly, "Garage Drummer" will be performed by the four finalists in Columbus, Ohio, in November.

Dajeong Choi, Denton, Texas, won second place and $500 for "Mons Montis" (A Great Rock).   Third place and a cash prize of $250 went to Dustin R. Lowes, Wilmerding, Pa., for "Fear of the Hunted."

PAS sponsors the annual competition to encourage and reward those who create music for percussion instruments and to increase the number of quality compositions written for percussion. Judges reviewed compositions from composers in the United States, Europe and Asia for this year's contest.

Categories for the 33rd Annual Percussion Composition Contest in 2006 are marimba and pan (lead or double seconds) and unaccompanied timpani solo (four or five drums).

For more information, contact the Percussive Arts Society at 317.974.4488 or percarts@pas.org.