Dr. Michael Varner is currently the
Professor of Percussion at the University of Texas at Arlington
is,
a position he has held for 24 years. As Coordinator of
Percussion activities, he is involved in every aspect of
percussion including Percussion Ensemble, Marching Percussion,
Marimba Ensemble, and a full schedule of private students.
Dr. Varner is currently presenting a series of recitals
featuring both time-honored and newly composed works for
percussion in preparation for the national release of a
solo CD. His recitals often include compositions that integrate
computer and MIDI effects into live performance. He has
performed chamber music and studio work in the Dallas/Ft.
Worth area including appearances with the Fort Worth Symphony
Orchestra. He received his Doctorate in Percussion Performance
from the University of North Texas with his dissertation
on "The Marimba Concerti of David Maslanka." Dr.
Varner holds a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance
from the University of Michigan and a bachelor of music
degree from Bowling Green State University, Ohio. Prior
to his appointment at UT Arlington he taught percussion,
ethnomusicology, jazz, and marching band for five years
at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo. Michael is an
artist/educator for Vic Firth and Yamaha. |
