Virginia State University Percussion Studio

08/21/2026

The Virginia State University Department of Music is proud to host its Fall 2026 “Music Major for A Day” for interested high school and collegiate band, choir, orchestra, piano, and music production students. This event provides students with a first hand look inside the studies of a VSU music student, while also experiencing what all VSU has to musically offer.

This year's event will include additional course observances in jazz studies as well as dedicated sessions for attending parents and directors.

If you know of any students considering majoring in music and looking to attend VSU, invite them to attend our fall event as this is one experience they do not want to miss!

Register today by scanning the QR code or visiting https://bit.ly/VSUMMFAD26

08/09/2026

Congratulations to Theo Dennis and the Bluecoats on becoming the 2026 DCI World Champions! The ensemble also received the Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion Performance. The entire studio is extremely proud of you and this outstanding accomplishment!

08/07/2026

The Virginia State University Department of Music welcomes Mr. Shawn David Hall to the Percussion faculty. Serving as Adjunct Instructor of Percussion, Mr. Hall will coach and instruct the newly formed VSU Marching Snare Drum Ensemble.

Shawn David Hall is a percussionist, composer, and educator based in Virginia. With over 25 years of experience spanning high school, collegiate, and professional levels, he is recognized for his practical and effective approach to percussion instruction, ensemble development, and arranging and composition.

Since 2008, Shawn has worked with a wide range of programs, contributing as a teacher, arranger, and designer. His ensembles have appeared at events such as the Virginia International Tattoo, the Tournament of Roses Parade, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He has performed in various locations throughout the region, including alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Shawn served as the Percussion Area Coordinator at Norfolk State University from 2018 to 2024, where he played a key role in shaping the program and directing its instructional efforts. He is a U.S. military veteran who has taught in both civilian and military training environments. Shawn is the executive director of the Mid-Eastern Percussion Association (MEPA), overseeing clinics, competitions, and educational programming for percussion ensembles in the Mid-Atlantic region. He is also a member of the Marching and Rudimental Committee within the Percussive Arts Society.

In addition to his leadership and instructional roles, Shawn writes music for marching percussion with a focus on clarity, musicality, and accessibility. His materials have been used by programs at various skill levels and are designed to support both performance and pedagogy. He regularly works as a clinician, adjudicator, and consultant, and continues to support directors and instructors through educational events and program design.

He is an artist with Vic Firth, Zildjian, Evans Drumheads, and Dynasty USA. Shawn resides in Chesapeake, Virginia, and remains actively involved in the percussion community throughout the southeastern United States.

Help us welcome Mr. Shawn David Hall to VSU!

06/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

We are excited to announce the inaugural VSU Percussion Festival happening April 3, 2027! The Festival will feature HS Solo and Ensemble performances with clinician and adjudicator feedback, masterclasses, collegiate ensembles, and the VSU Percussion Ensemble performing works of a guest composer with a world premier! As we look to encourage total percussion in our schools, what better way than to provide a platform and opportunity for groups to do so!

Registration will begin this fall for interested ensembles and we hope to have you join us for this amazing event!

05/14/2026

Watch as the Virginia State University Percussion Ensemble performs Roots of Bloom by Austin Keck.

Commissioned by Louis Raymond-Kolker and the High Point University Percussion Ensemble, VSU served as a consortium member to have this piece composed and performed.

You can view the entire performance on the VSU Percussion Studio Youtube page: https://youtu.be/_nxPYMcMT9o

04/15/2026

Congrats to Donovan Haywood, David Williams, Theo Dennis and Emanuel Muñoz on their recent sophomore recitals. Each student displayed fantastic performances and beautiful command of snare drum, 2 & 4-mallet keyboard, timpani and drum set per the VSU Percussion curriculum. Everyone showed amazing musical growth and now move on to their upper level advanced studies.

The 4 performers studied under Dr. Ethan Strickland this semester in preparation for their sophomore recitals. Congrats!!

04/07/2026

Percussion Ensemble concert Live stream link:

Join us for the VSU Percussion Ensemble concert live from Davis Hall.

04/06/2026

The VSU Percussion Studio invites you to our Spring Marimba Monday event. The members of the percussion faculty and students will perform their semester keyboard works for the VSU and Petersburg community.

Taking place at Market St. Coffee, this event is free and open to the public. Serving as a fundraiser, partial proceeds from your dining that evening will be donated to the VSU Percussion Studio to support efforts in awarding scholarships, acquiring equipment, music, and other area needs. Hope to see you on Monday, April 13th!

04/05/2026

It’s that time of year where we wonder, “What would our professors say??”

Hmmm…what would Ethan Strickland tell us to do??”

04/01/2026

Join us for our spring Percussion Ensemble concert on Tuesday, April 7th at 7pm! The concert will feature works by Condon, Hopper, Nozny, Trevino and Warren. Also, programmed within the concert are two commissioned works by Austin Keck and Caleb Pickering as well as the world premiere of "Places to Revisit" by our very own, Dr. Ethan Strickland!

The event is free, open to the public and we hope to see you there!