Russell Wharton is a percussion educator, performer, composer, and arranger from the Chicago area. Throughout his career, Russell has pursued a multifaceted approach to percussion, allowing him to possess a wide variety of musical influences.

 

As an educator, Russell has been fortunate to be a part of many excellent programs. Currently, he is in his fifth year as a percussion staff member The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, and for 2019 will serve as Battery Coordinator. Russell was also an Associate Instructor at Indiana University during his graduate studies, where he taught classes and lessons to music education majors. Prior to attending IU, Russell taught at many different high schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including three years at Keller High School. Russell is also active as a clinician. Some of his recent engagements include university percussion festivals, teaching marching band in Honduras, and a clinic at PASIC in 2018.

 

As a performer, Russell is well versed in many musical situations, including solo, chamber, ensemble, orchestra, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, marching, jazz, and more. He was a member of The Cavaliers from 2008-2012, where he served as a student leader and helped the percussion win the 2011 Fred Sanford High Percussion Award. As a student, Russell performed in multiple IPEC Showcase concerts at PASIC, with a wind ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and with a drumline at the Super Bowl. Outside of school, he frequently performs as a guest artist at high schools and colleges, and has toured with his percussion quartet Four/One Percussion.

 

Russell is also active as a composer and an arranger. Russell has written several works for percussion and is published by Tapspace Publications. As an arranger, Russell writes for numerous high school marching bands throughout the United States.

 

Russell received his Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion and Remo products, and his compositions are published by Tapspace.