Recent ETAMU Music Graduate Wins National Competition

A person playing multiple percussion instruments on a stage.

East Texas A&M University alum and percussionist DJ Talbot recently took first place at the Black Swamp Percussion Solo & Ensemble Showcase. Talbot won the Multi-Percussion Soloist Division of the competition, which saw entries from across the United States. This marks the first time that an East Texas A&M student has won the Multi-Percussion Division of the competition, and the third year in a row that a Lion percussionist took home first place across all divisions. For his entry, Talbot performed “Ends to a Mend” by JaRon Brown.

Talbot entered the competition earlier this spring while still a student, but graduated in May with a Master of Music degree. While earning his degree at East Texas A&M, he served as director of percussion for Commerce ISD.

Founded in 1995, Black Swamp Percussion is a leading manufacturer of percussion instruments and accessories. The annual Solo & Ensemble Showcase was originally founded by Black Swamp artist Dan Smithiger in 2009.

See the winning entries, including Talbot’s performance, in the video below.

Featured photo: Recent graduate DJ Talbot became the first Lion percussionist to win the Multi-Percussion division. | Image captured from YouTube