About

PHSN Percussion

Once described as "magical" by John Beck (Eastman School of Music Professor Emeritus of Percussion), the Pickerington North Percussion Ensemble has performed a wide range of literature including everything from Bach to Stravinsky, Cage to Reich, and Colgrass to Gillingham. The Percussion Ensemble has been at the core of the PHSN percussion program since the school’s opening in 2003. The ensemble meets two days per week after school November through March, performing annually at Solo & Ensemble, the Ohio State University Percussion Ensemble Festival, and at their own spring concert.

The PHSN Percussion Ensemble has performed twice at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in 2015 and 2017, and return for their third performance in 2019. The ensemble has twice presented a pre-concert performance prior to The Ohio State University Percussion Ensemble's popular "Drums Downtown" concerts. They have performed annually at The Ohio State University Percussion Ensemble Festival (Dr. Susan Powell, host), receiving acclaim from guest artists including Anders Astrand, John Beck, Michael Burritt, Anthony Cirone, Mark Ford, and Neil Grover. The ensemble was a contributing member of the commission of Josh Gottry's "plusFive" ensemble version of his solo marimba book "forFour."

The growth and development of the PHSN percussion program has come largely through participation in OMEA Solo and Ensemble, with around 35-45 percussion events every year. Soloists and ensembles have earned numerous "Superior" and "Excellent" Ratings over the school’s fifteen year history. Members of the ensemble have performed in All-State Band, All-State Orchestra, the OMEA South Central Regional Orchestra, the Ohio State University Honors Band, the Capital University Honors Band, and the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The North Drumline (NDl) is also a vital part of the PHSN percussion program, earning numerous “Superior” ratings at State Marching Band Finals and many “Best Percussion” Awards. The drumline played at Nationwide Arena in November of 2017 prior to a Columbus Blue Jackets game.

Percussion Ensemble

-Performed at the 2015 Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, February 5, 2015

-Performed at the 2017 Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, February 2, 2017

-Performed at the 2019 Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, January 31, 2019

-Ohio State University Percussion Ensemble Festival, Dr. Susan Powell, host (2004-2010, 2013-17)

-Ohio State University "Drums Downtown" Pre-concert lobby performance (2008, 2011)

- Joint Concert with Otterbein University Percussion Ensemble (2009)

Alumni have continued performing at University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the Eastman School of Music, Miami University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Nebraska, the University of Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, University of South Carolina, University of Toledo, Connexus Independent, Capital City Percussion, Matrix Percussion, the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, Pioneer Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps.

Mr. Carmean

Chris Carmean is an Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor in the Pickerington Local School District, where he teaches percussion students in grades 6-12 at Pickerington High School North, Lakeview Junior High School, and Harmon Middle School. Originally from Findlay, Ohio, Mr. Carmean received a Bachelor’s Degree from Miami University, where he was a founding member of the African Ensemble and Steel Band, and a Master of Music Degree from Duquesne University. He marched snare drum with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from Casper, Wyoming during the 1994-5 seasons. Following his graduation from Duquesne, Mr. Carmean served on the faculty in the percussion department, and performed as an extra percussionist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maris Jansons, including a tour to South America. He has also performed with the New World Symphony (Miami, FL), the Naples Philharmonic (FL), and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. Mr. Carmean is an Associate Musician with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and performs frequently with the Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. He has performed under conductors Rossen Milanov, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Junichi Hirokami, Gunther Herbig, and film composer John Williams. Mr. Carmean has appeared in concert with Andrea Bocelli and Ben Folds, and performed at the 2011 Bach and Beyond Festival (Fredonia, NY). He also performs with the Winchester Steel Company Adult Steel Band of Canal Winchester. Mr. Carmean is a percussion adjudicator for OMEA Solo and Ensemble and Marching Band Adjudicated Events, serves as the Marching Band Adjudications Chair on the OMEA Adjudicated Events Committee, and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. He has completed Level One Coursework through the Marching Roundtable Judge's Academy, and subsequently appeared as a guest on Episode #373 of the Marching Roundtable Podcast. Mr. Carmean's percussion ensemble pieces are available through C.Alan Publications. He is married to professional flutist Lindsey Goodman, and together they try to keep up with their alternatively blitzing and napping Bichon Frise dog, Jack.

Andrea Bocelli @ Nationwide Arena (2011)

Columbus Symphony Orchestra @ Ohio Theatre (2009)

Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps (1994)