The UNC Greensboro Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Eric Willie, has been named a winner of the 2020 Percussive Arts Society’s International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC). The honor is awarded annually to only three ensembles. This is the second time in five years that the UNCG Percussion Ensemble has received the IPEC award.

The ensemble has been invited to present a Showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention in November, which will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19.

Dr. Willie says he is extremely proud of the work his students did for the competition:

“Winning a showcase concert in the Percussive Arts Society’s International Percussion Ensemble is the highest award for our art form. The students in the ensemble worked diligently to perfect the music for the recordings we submitted. It’s clear their efforts paid off! We’re looking forward to being a part of the showcase this fall.”

In addition to UNCG, the other two IPEC award recipients for 2020 are the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Alabama. Past winners include the Eastman School of Music, Yale University, Indiana University, and the University of North Texas.

Photo: The UNCG Percussion Ensemble
Back Row, Left to Right:
Dr. Eric Willie, Director
Sam Nichols
Kyle Wilson
Gabe Mann
Joseph Healy
Daniel Humphrey
Calogero Giambusso
Kellan Crabtree
Hunter Mullins
Andrew Barlow

Front Row, Left to Right:
Sydney Alden
Anna Langley
Sam Williams
Lauren Ogle
Jake Twaddell
Hannah Clemens
Zach Baker
James Kohrt
John O’Donnell
Seth Blevins