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Andrew Jackson Spencer
Andrew
Spencer,
currently holds the position of professor of percussion at Central
Michigan University. An active recitalist and clinician, he has
performed as a soloist in the United States, Poland, Japan,
Canada, and Costa Rica. In 1999, he released “Slender Beams,” a
recording that features works by composer Dave Hollinden. Spencer
has premiered numerous compositions. Most recently, he gave the
first performance of the Percussion Concerto “what…clarity?” by
Hollinden. He has also premiered works by Mark Polishook, Samuel
Adler, Robert May and Henry Gwiazda. Equally experienced in
orchestral performance, Dr. Spencer is timpanist/principal
percussionist with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra Symphony
Orchestra. Additional positions have included timpanist/principal
percussionist with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Cascade Festival
Orchestra, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and Fargo-Moorhead
Civic Opera Company. He has performed with the Oregon Symphony,
Spokane Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Lake
Forest Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with
numerous chamber ensembles throughout the United States, and plays
drum set with the Jazz Avengers and the Usual Suspects.
Dr. Spencer received his
bachelor of music and master of music in performance (percussion)
and studied with Dr. Terry Applebaum at Northwestern University in
Evanston, Illinois. He earned his doctor of musical arts in
performance and literature (percussion) from the
Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where he studied with
John Beck. In addition, Eastman granted Dr. Spencer the
coveted performer’s certificate as a percussion soloist.
“Spencer’s energy put the piece in
overdrive.”
“Spencer’s command of the marimba was
phenomenal…”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Spencer exhibited the technique and style
of a music master, he was greeted with a standing ovation at the end
of the concert."
"The energetic rhythms and elements of
dissonance were masterly performed by Spencer whose [technique] was
superb."
Andres Sanez, music critic
La Nacion (San Jose, Costa Rica)
“…Andrew Spencer…did a magnificent job
with this new and unusal work.”
“…Spencer brought them to life with great
effect.”
Floyd Famer, music critic
Muskegon Chronicle
back to faculty and staff |
“Spencer became focused and
ferocious…having passed the secret onto the enraptured audience”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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