Dec 8, 2022, 12:30 PM
by
Percussive Arts Society
Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) 2022 delivered entertainment, education, and exposure to the world of percussion
Indianapolis, Ind. – From drum set artists to orchestral percussionists and all kinds of musicians in between, this year’s PASIC had something for every kind of percussionist. The Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2022 (PASIC) was held November 9-12 in Indianapolis. PASIC, the most significant percussion convention in the world, offered its nearly 5,500 attendees the chance to learn from world-class artists and educators.
“This was a fantastic PASIC as we returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels,” said Percussive Arts Society Executive Director Joshua Simonds. “We were able to have international artists and attendees from all over the world – Latin America, Europe, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. It was truly an international convention again.”
What makes PASIC, held each November in Indianapolis, so unique, is the exposure it offers attendees to so many forms of drumming and percussion. From drum set to keyboard percussion to health and wellness offerings and more, percussion enthusiasts attended clinics and performances in a variety of genres. Attendees could see legendary jazz and rock drummer Dave Weckl on one day and be part of a packed room watching an all-star group of steelpan players honoring the late Cliff Alexis, including Yuko Asada, Andy Narell, and Liam Teague the next. Or catch drummer and educator Benny Greb, fresh off a stint on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” cracking up his audience in one ballroom while the U.S. Army Old Guard drum brigade stirred patriotic emotions with their revolutionary-era cadences in another.
Students are always an important part of PASIC, and this year brought greater and more enthusiastic participation from high school and university students in both the Individual & Ensemble Competitions and Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competitions. There was also great participation in the University Student Career Hall, which was organized by the PAS University Student Committee. These are just some of the ways PASIC is helping shape the percussion leaders of the future.
A big draw at this year’s PASIC were the evening concerts. The convention kicked off with a spirited set from the Pedrito Martinez Group highlighted by an impromptu audience dance party on stage with the band as the rest of the audience grooved to the group’s Afro-Cuban rhythms. Amadinda Percussion Group from Budapest and Ju Percussion from Taiwan added to the international flavor of this year’s PASIC concerts. Innovative band Ghost-Note closed PASIC, combining world beats, hip-hop, psychedelia, and more into their unique signature funk. With their fusion of drum set and percussion from bandleaders Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, the group was the perfect choice to entertain convention-goers of all disciplines.
“PASIC is so important to the international percussion community,” added Mr. Simonds. “No other event brings together so many genres in one place to celebrate the diversity that can be found in the percussive arts, and PASIC 2022 offered the largest number of diversity-centered events that we’ve ever had.”
In addition to all the musical offerings, PASIC also presented the enormous International Drum & Percussion Expo, with more than 100 vendors offering an incredible array of gear and technology.
Following the in-person conference, the 2022 Virtual PASIC event was held November 18-19. PASIC was pleased to be able to offer online sessions for those who were unable to attend the in-person conference, especially international PAS members.
To learn more about PASIC and the Percussive Arts Society, visit www.pas.org. PASIC 2023 will take place November 8-11, 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
About PASIC
The Percussive Arts Society International Conference (PASIC) is the most significant percussion convention in the world. Held each November in Indianapolis, approximately 5,500 - 6,000 attendees from around the world experience performances, clinics, master classes, workshops, expert panels, presentations, and more. PASIC features over 100 concerts, clinics, masterclasses, labs, workshops, panels, and presentations given by the finest artists and educators from around the world and showcasing all areas of percussion — drum set, marching, keyboard, symphonic, world, recreational, education, music technology, new music, and health and wellness. In addition, the International Drum and Percussion Expo features the latest instruments and gear from more than 100 different brands. PASIC is one of the only percussion-centered conventions that brings together all disciplines of percussionists and drummers, from students to hobbyists to world-renowned performers to percussion educators at the highest level.
To learn more about PASIC, visit www.pasic.org
About The Percussive Arts Society (PAS)
The Percussive Arts Society is the world's largest percussion organization and is considered the central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. Headquartered in Indianapolis, PAS was established in 1961 as a non-profit, music service organization, with a mission to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world.
To learn more about The Percussive Arts Society, visit www.pas.org
For media inquiries, please contact:
Joshua Simonds
jsimonds@pas.org