Help Us Support Our Mission by Playing Your Part
Our Mission
To inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.
Our Vision
To be the global leader in percussion and drumming by providing unparalleled and interactive resources and experiences in percussion education, performance, and research.
Our Values
Innovation: Cultivating, encouraging, and embracing opportunities that foster the advancement and diversification of music and people.
Education: Exemplifying high standards and sharing resources for percussion teaching, performing, pedagogy, and research.
Outreach: Inspiring current and future generations by providing the opportunity to experience music making and music appreciation.
Relationships: Promoting friendships and camaraderie amongst percussionists, drummers, and the music industry, while building bonds with our local and global communities.
Preservation: Ensuring the historical integrity of our art form and our organization.
Who We Are
Today, we are over 5000 members, with over 40 chapters located across the United States and an additional 28 chapters abroad. The Percussive Arts Society is the world's largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. Established in 1961 as a non-profit, music service organization, our mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.
What Do We Provide?
The Percussive Arts Society is the world's largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages.
PAS offers students and professionals opportunities to grow artistically and professionally. PAS proudly awards over $60,000 annually in scholarships and grants. Professionals can create new percussion programs or gain recognition through PAS grants and contests. Many individuals have significantly impacted the world of percussion through the Percussive Arts Society, and they are recognized in our
Hall of Fame and
Awards pages.
PAS publishes the
Percussive Notes journal six times a year
, shares weekly content on
Rhythm! Scene™ the official blog of the Percussive Arts Society, and maintains a comprehensive website of percussion education resources. PAS is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is home to the
Rhythm! Discovery Center. Founded by PAS in 2009, Rhythm! Discovery Center serves as the definitive place where the history of percussion is preserved, celebrated, and shared. Dynamic exhibits feature instruments from leading percussionists and promote the understanding of percussion and its role in world cultures through interactive educational experiences.
In addition, more than 60 domestic and international PAS
Chapters host Day of Percussion
® events and other clinics in their regions throughout the year.
PASIC®
Each year PAS hosts the largest percussion convention in the world, the
Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), featuring the top names in drumming and percussion. PASIC features over 120 concerts, clinics, master classes, labs, workshops, panels and presentations given by the finest artists from around the world and showcasing all areas of percussion — drum set, marching, keyboard, symphonic, world, recreational, education, music technology, new music, and health & wellness.
The convention’s International Drum and Percussion Expo is held annually with more than 120 exhibitors showcasing the latest in percussion instruments, gear, publications and services. The nationally recognized PASIC Marching Percussion Festival also takes place during the convention. This indoor festival includes competitions for individuals, small ensembles, a marching ensemble interactive clinic, and a DrumLine Battle. Attendance is over 5,000 annually.
Rhythm! Discovery Center
Rhythm! Discovery Center is the world’s foremost drum and percussion museum; founded by the Percussive Arts Society in 2009. Rhythm! features unique, interactive exhibits highlighting a rich collection of historic artifacts and hands-on percussion instruments. Drawing upon cultures from around the world, Rhythm! offers an incomparable experience in exploring the universality of rhythm and percussion, and its role in shaping communication, music, art, performance and society.
Rhythm! also offers a diverse array of educational programming designed to supplement its interactive exhibits, providing a place for everyone to explore first-hand the world of percussion. Learn about playing techniques, delve into individual instruments, and enjoy musical performances from local and national performing groups. Located in downtown Indianapolis, Rhythm! invites visitors of any age to come Find Your Rhythm.