Auditions Open for Community-Based Tennessee Honor Percussion Ensemble
This spring, young percussionists from across the region have the chance to be part of something new and exciting at the UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music: the inaugural Tennessee Honor Percussion Ensemble (THPE). The ensemble, part of the College’s Community Music School, offers advanced high school and middle school students an exceptional opportunity to grow their skills, explore diverse percussion repertoire, and perform in a collaborative, supportive environment.
The idea began with a simple goal: to create more opportunities for advanced high school and middle school percussionists. For Andrew Bliss, Associate Professor of Percussion and the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, it was about filling a gap he had noticed for years.
“There’s an incredible amount of talent in this area,” Bliss said. “But these students often lack access to comprehensive percussion programs in middle school and high school that can expose them to what the full field has to offer. The THPE is about giving them that chance—helping them grow musically and offering a platform to showcase their skills across diverse styles of drumming.”
Building a Musical Community
The THPE is more than just an ensemble; it represents a pivotal step in the revitalization of the Community Music School under the leadership of Jenny Cross. An alumna of the former UT School of Music, Cross joined the College in August 2024 as the Assistant Director of Student Engagement. With a significant portion of her role focused on expanding the Community Music School, Cross is deeply enthusiastic about the opportunities THPE brings to young musicians and the broader community.
“We are excited to offer this new opportunity to young musicians in our area,” Cross said. “The hope for this ensemble is that we might engage with percussionists early in their music education career and provide a high quality, specialized experience that will allow them to develop new skills and hone their craft.”
The Community Music School already serves as a resource for private one-on-one lessons for musicians of all ages. The addition of the THPE signals a broader effort to engage young artists and foster connections between the university and the wider Knoxville community.
A Unique Opportunity
For young percussionists, the THPE offers something rare: the chance to work under the expert mentorship of Bliss and his team, including graduate students and faculty collaborators. Weekly rehearsals will introduce students to a wide variety of percussion repertoire and styles, while hands-on instruction with diverse instruments will deepen their understanding and skills.
Bliss sees this as more than a learning opportunity. “It’s about inspiration. When these students come together, they’ll not only challenge themselves musically but also discover the joy of creating something bigger than any one individual could achieve alone.”
The semester will culminate in performances that showcase the ensemble’s work, allowing participants to share their achievements with family, friends, and the community.
A Vision for the Future
The launch of the THPE is just the beginning. For Cross and Bliss, this ensemble is a stepping stone toward a more robust Community Music School, one that nurtures talent at every level.
“Our goal is to build a program that fosters community, creativity, and excellence. Being a part of an ensemble like this provides individuals with life skills that go far beyond music,” said Cross. “Studying with our highly gifted faculty in our remarkable facility will allow them to grow as musicians, but more importantly, as people.”
For Bliss, it’s also a way to build a bridge between the university and the region’s young musicians. “This is about more than just the students in the room,” he says. “It’s about growing a community of musicians who inspire each other and learn from one another.”
How to Get Involved
The Tennessee Honor Percussion Ensemble is currently accepting auditions for its first season. Open to advanced high school and middle school percussionists, the ensemble will meet weekly for rehearsals on Thursdays beginning on January 23 and offer multiple performance opportunities throughout the semester.
Auditions are open to all students in the region and will include in-person and video submission options. For more details, visit the ensemble’s webpage at tiny.utk.edu/thpe.
Contact Information
For questions or additional details, please email Jenny Cross, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, at [email protected].