American Percussion Seminar

June 2 - June 6, 2025
About the Seminar

The University of North Texas (UNT) American Percussion Seminar is an exciting five-day seminar designed to serve high school, college, and professional level concert percussionists. Activities include private and group lessons with world class instructors, masterclasses, clinics, student and faculty performance, and technique lab focused on all aspects of keyboard percussion performance. Participants will also play in percussion ensembles directed by the seminar faculty. 

The American Percussion Seminar (APS) includes sessions on jazz vibraphone in which students will have lessons and masterclasses on improvisation with jazz vibraphonists Ed Smith (UNT and Southern Methodist University). 

The seminar begins with check-in at 8:30am on Monday and will conclude with an ensemble concert on Friday afternoon. Participants have the option to arrive a day early and stay the final night of the seminar for an additional fee, if needed.

Faculty

Sandi RennickSandi Rennick is a percussionist and marimba soloist with extensive performing and teaching experience in the DFW area and throughout the United States. An original cast member of the Tony and Emmy Award-winning production “Blast!”, Sandi performed in London, England, as well as a featured marimba soloist on tour throughout the United States. Sandi is currently a percussion arranger for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2011-present), and the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (2013-present).

Sandi has teaching and arranging experience with a variety of groups at all levels, including the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, Drum Corps Japan
Champions Yokohama Scouts, and Drum Corps International champions Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps (2003-2010) and Carolina Crown (1998-2004).

A member of the Percussive Arts Society since 1995, Sandi served on the PAS Marching Committee for 13 years, and was elected to the PAS Board of Advisors in 2019.
Sandi is an Adjunct Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas and Texas A&M University-Commerce. In addition to her drum corps responsibilities in the summer, she also serves on the faculty of the UNT Keyboard Percussion Workshop, and is a clinician for the Girls March music and leadership camps.

Sandi is a Signature Artist for Innovative Percussion, Inc., and a clinician/artist for Dynasty USA, Remo Drumheads, and SABIAN / Gon Bops Percussion.

Guest Clinicians

Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford is a Lecturer of Music Education at the University of North Texas, where he teaches undergraduate coursework and serves as Coordinator of Student Teaching for the College of Music. Dr. Crawford also works within the Percussion Area, overseeing all curriculum and instruction for the percussion methods courses and co-directing the UNT Percussion Group percussion ensemble

Before joining the faculty at UNT, Dr. Crawford dedicated a decade of his career to teaching secondary public school throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area metroplex, where he directed various instrumental groups, such as marching bands, jazz ensembles, concert bands, world music ensembles, and percussion ensembles. Additionally, he served on the instrumental faculty at Tarleton State University (2011–2014) and as the drumline instructor/arranger for Baylor University (2013–2017). Dr. Crawford maintains a close connection to secondary music education by serving as an adjudicator at regional, national, and international festivals throughout the year.

Dr. Crawford has been invited to present featured clinics and research at regional and national conferences, including NAfME, CBDNA, National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, National Fellowship of Worship Musicians, TMEA, and TBA. As a facilitator and consultant, he is frequently requested to collaborate with area professional development seminars, teacher-education workshops, community ensembles, TMEA All-State groups, and professional organizations such as the Dallas Symphony Chorus. As a percussionist, Dr. Crawford has performed throughout the United States and Europe with regional orchestras, jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and drum corps.

Dr. Crawford has published articles in The Instrumentalist, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Rhythm! Scene Magazine, and musical compositions through C. Alan Publications. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Education Committee, a certified Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy educator, and a Pearl Drums/Adams Regional Marching Percussion Artist.

Tuition & Fees
  • $600 - Tuition (includes seminar t-shirt and $30 registration fee)
  • $250 - Boarding (optional; includes housing, meals, and parking)
    • $60 per additional night (early arrival and/or late departure)
  • $130 - Commuter Meal Plan (optional; lunch & dinner only)
  • $25 - Commuter Parking Permit (optional)

Participants residing on campus must provide their own bedding (extra-long twin size), pillows, towels, and toiletries.

Registration Information

To register, visit https://app.getacceptd.com/untmusicworkshops. Begin by selecting your Area (Percussion) and Program (American Percussion Seminar). For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Help Desk.

Registration Deadline

  • May 12, 2025

Registration Policy

  • Full payment is due at the time of registration.
  • Participants must be at least 14 years of age by the first day of the seminar to participate.
  • Enrollment is limited.
Refund Policy
  • Requested by May 12, 2025 - Full refund less $100 ($30 registration fee + $70 administrative fee)
    • We are unable to process refunds requested after May 12, 2025
    • No refunds will be provided should a participant be dismissed for violating UNT policy or program rules provided on the first day.
FAQs

Do I need to bring my own instrument?

  • Nope! APS will provide instruments for all participants. Please bring your stick bag with you.

Where will I be sleeping? Will I be sharing a room?

  • Participants under 18 years of age will reside in double occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms. Program counselors will stay in the same residence hall, conduct room checks each evening, and travel with minor participants to and from meals, the music building, and other locations on campus.
  • Participants 18 years of age and over will reside in a different residence hall in single occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms. 

Is there transportation to/from the airport?

  • Due to the size of the program, we are unable to offer a UNT shuttle to/from the airports. Participants are responsible for their own airport transoportation, if needed. There are many rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) available at both DFW and Dallas-Love Field airports.
APS Sponsors

Additional questions? Please contact music.camps@unt.edu or call (940) 369-6541.