In early June, MSM Classical Percussion student Aaron Levine (BM ’29) from Tenefly, New Jersey won first prize in Division II for students 19 years of age and under, at the Modern Snare Drum Competition in Cleveland, Ohio. In photo: Aaron (on right) is presented a snare drum for winning the competition he also received a cash prize. Aaron previously studied in the MSM Precollege program.
The Competition, hosted by the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), is open to ages 26 and under, and aims to promote snare drum literature. Students taking part in Division I of the competition performed a composition by MSM Percussion faculty member Duncan Patton.
More information about the competition here.
The premiere of a new composition by MSM Percussion alumnus James Larter (MM ‘18) Toros: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra took place at the Sinfonia Smith Square in Westminster, London (formerly St John’s Smith Square) on November 6.
A review in musicOMH, a London-based online music magazine, called the concerto “a hugely approachable work, inspired by the paintings of Pablo Picasso and the writing of Pablo Neruda… here was a modern chamber orchestra really leaning into the idiom with joy and class…Larter’s performance, of course, was magnificent – necessarily athletic (the instruments covered at least 10 metres from end to end), it was also ferociously accurate, and full of nuance.”
“I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all those who attended the world premiere of ‘Toros’ Percussion Concerto… (and) a special thanks to City Music Foundation and donors who made this happen, and the wonderful Frederick Waxman, and Sinfonia Smith Square,” James Larter posted in a newsletter following the performance.
More about James Larter here. Watch excerpts from the premiere here.
MSM Orchestral Performance percussion alumnus Tarun Bellur (MM ’22, PS ’23) has been named Principal Percussionist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra.
Tarun Belluris a percussionist, timpanist, and educator based in New York City. A native of Dallas, TX, Tarun has performed with a variety of ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, Harlem Chamber Players, Uptown Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, and the Kansas City Orchestra, in a variety of venues including Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall in Chicago. He spent summers with the Spoleto Music Festival and the Round Top Music Festival.
MSM percussion students Jay Walton (BM ’26) and Campbell Stewart (BM ’28) both placed second in their respective divisions at the Modern Snare Drum Competition held in Cleveland, Ohio, held on May 31, 2025.
The Modern Snare Drum Competition, hosted by the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), is open to participants age 26 and under and aims to promote snare drum literature.
This annual competition is now under the direction of MSM alumnus Marc Damoulakis (BM ’99), CIM faculty member and principal percussionist of the Cleveland Orchestra, who is continuing the work of former director Tom Sherwood to educate the percussion community on a wide array of snare drum repertoire, including newly commissioned works.
More about the competition here.
MSM percussion alumnus Hamza Able (BM ’20), timpanist of the Spokane Symphony, won the audition for principal timpani of the Dayton Philharmonic.
Hamza Able is a Moroccan-born percussionist who moved to the Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 12 where he discovered his love for classical music. At Manhattan School of Music, he was the recipient of the Paul Price Percussion Endowed Scholarship. He trained under the direction of Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, Kyle Zerna, and She-e Wu.
MSM percussion student Glenn Choe (BM ’26) from Cedar Park, Texas has won third prize at the International Marimba Festiva Competition in Bamberg, Germany in April 2025.
Glenn Choe has won many competitions including a first prize in the Modern Snare Drum Competition in 2023.
The Marimba Festiva Association is an international organization dedicated to promoting the marimba as a vibrant and independent solo instrument. With a focus on engaging younger generations, the association works to elevate the marimba beyond its traditional ties to percussion.
Learn more about the competition here.
Recent MSM graduate Zoe Beyler (MM ’25) has won a position with the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, in Kobe, Japan.
The Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra (HPAC Orchestra) was founded in 2005 under the artistic direction of Yutaka Sado as a symbol of cultural renewal following the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Comprised of young musicians selected through global auditions, the orchestra offers a full season of performances and professional development, including masterclasses and mentorship. Its innovative structure makes it a one-of-a-kind training ground for future orchestral professionals.
Zoe Beyler is a classical percussionist and taiko performer who worsk as an orchestral musician, contemporary chamber music performer, taiko player, drumset player, and pianist. She has performed with the Downey Symphony and American Youth Symphony, the Cracow Duo, Fear No Music, Portland Taiko, and various school and festival ensembles.
Learn more about Zoe Beyler here.
Glenn Choe (BM ’26), who studies Classical Percussion with the faculty of the MSM Percussion program, has won Honorable Mention in the 36th Annual Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition.
Last September, Glenn placed third in Category A of the Majaoja International Percussion Competition in Finland. Some of his previous achievements include winning first prize at both the 2021 POTS Festival/Competition and the 2019 Great Plains International Marimba Competition, being a 2020 Starlight Symphony Concerto Competition winner.
Learn more about the winners of the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition here.
MSM Orchestral Performance Program percussion student Austin Cantrell (MM ’24, PPD ’26) has won a percussion position in the U.S. Marine Band “The President’s Own”. He is from Charlotte, North Carolina and currently studies at MSM with Christopher Lamb.
MSM percussion student Glenn Choe (BM ’26) earned Honorable Mention at the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition (JSO*YAC) held Saturday, January 6, in Lakewood, Colorado, performing Concerto for Marimba by Emmanuel Sejourne.
Following the competition, Choe performed a movement of his concerto at the YAC Winners’ Recital held on Jan. 6 after the JSO*YAC.
Orchestral Performance percussion student Zach Masri (PS ’24, OP Percussion) has been named to the Assistant Timpani/section percussion position with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Zach Masri is a Lebanese-Canadian percussionist and timpanist living between New York and Vancouver. He has been the principal timpanist of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.
Zach has been studying at the Manhattan School of Music under the Avedis Zildjian Percussion Scholarship. His primary teachers at MSM include Christopher Lamb, She-e Wu, Duncan Patton, and Kyle Zerna.
Learn more about Zach here.
A current student in MSM’s Orchestral Performance Program, percussionist Leo Simon (MM ’23) has won a position with the Tulsa Symphony.
Leo, who performs with the MSM Percussion Ensemble, intends to finish his studies at MSM while taking on his new performance duties. At MSM, Leo studies with Christopher Lamb, Principal Percussionist at the New York Philharmonic.
Kevin Ritenauer (BM ’16) has been appointed Associate Principal Timpanist/Section Percussionist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Kevin was a fellow at New World Symphony and has also performed as extra with the Cleveland Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra, among others. Mr. Ritenauer was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and Music Academy of the West.
Born in Białystok, Poland, Marcelina Suchocka (BM ’16, MM ’18) has been named Principal Percussionist of the Sarasota Orchestra and Britt Festival Orchestra.
Ms. Suchocka enjoys a diverse career spanning orchestral, chamber, new music, and solo playing. She was a fellow at the New World Symphony and has performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and Utah Symphony.
Ms. Suchocka earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, She-e Wu, and Kyle Zerna.
Learn more about Marcelina here.
Congratulations to Madison Shake!
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Madison Shake started playing percussion at nine years old. She studied for eight years with Paul Berns of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra beginning in fifth grade. She received her master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music studying with Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, Kyle Zerna, and She-e Wu. Madison has a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and was an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for its 2017-2018 season.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra 2021-2022 season program is found here.
Duncan Patton’s composition There Will Come a Time will premiere on June 17 at 7 PM during a full-length digital concert called You are the Light recorded and filmed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
MSM’s Director of Choral Activities Kent Tritle is the Music Director and conductor of the event, leading the Musica Sacra choir with instrumental ensemble Rose of the Compass The concert also features Immigrant Songs by former MSM President Robert Sirota.
For more information about the concert, including a video teaser, visit this page.
Last weekend, current student William Hopkins (BM ’21) and alumnus Yi Chen (BM ’19) competed in the Majaoja International Percussion Competition in Tampere, Finland.
William, who represented the United States in the B Category (for contestants under 21 years of age), tied for first place. Yi was selected as a semifinalist in the A Category, where there was no age limit.
Learn more about the Majaoja International Percussion Competition here.
Based primarily in Toronto, Cervini is a drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is an active member of six groups. He also manages a music publicity business with a growing roster of artists.
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The 2018-19 season will mark Alan Stewart’s first full season with the ensemble. At Manhattan School of Music he studied with MSM Percussion Department Chair Christopher Lamb, faculty member Duncan Patton, and consultant She-e Wu.
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Born in Bialystok, Poland, Marcelina Suchocka is a graduate of MSM’s Orchestral Performance Program. She’s performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the Chicago Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and Utah Symphony, and was an Associate Percussionist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Located in Miami, the New World Symphony is America’s Orchestral Academy, preparing highly-gifted graduates of distinguished music programs for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world. Marcelina is the fourth-ever female Percussion Fellow at NWS.
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