TCU Percussion Festival


Past Percussion Festival Programs
TCUP Festival 2025 Program
TCUP Festival 2024 Program
TCUP Festival 2023 Program
TCUP Festival 2022 Program

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TCU Percussion Festival 2026

WHEN
April 10 – 11, 2026

WHERE
The TCU Music Center and the Ed Landreth Hall

WHY / MISSION STATEMENT
The goal of the TCU Percussion Festival is to promote percussion education and performance in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth region. The Festival will offer performance opportunities for concert percussion ensembles and soloists, as well as clinics and other educational experiences.

ENSEMBLES
Performance slots

30-minute slot ($375)
All performances will be professionally recorded (audio and video)
Ensemble must enter and exit the stage within their 30-minute slot
After all equipment has exited the stage, students and/or director(s) may return to receive clinician feedback in the remainder of the time slot

Timing and Penalties:

There will be a T&P judge for the competition
Time begins when your ensemble is cued to enter the stage, and ends when your equipment is completely off the stage
Audio and video recording will stop at the 28-minute mark so your ensemble may exit the stage in a timely fashion
There will be a 2 point penalty for each minute your ensemble is on stage past the 30-minute mark
No penalty will be given during the clinic time

Divisions (depending on the makeup of the entries) may be broken down into:

Advanced Large Division (8 or more performers)
Advanced Small Division (7 or fewer performers)
Intermediate Large Division (8 or more performers)
Intermediate Small Division (7 or fewer performers)

(Intermediate categories are intended for developing programs and “2nd band” students of stronger groups)

Middle School / Junior High Advanced Division
Middle School / Junior High Intermediate Division
Non-competitive – written comments

Equipment

Large instruments provided by TCU (a specific instrument list will be provided at a later time)
Schools must provide their own accessories and smaller instruments

SOLOS
Performance slots

10-minute time slot ($40)
Students perform and receive feedback from the judge during the remainder of the time slot

Timing and Penalties

Slots begin when you enter the room, and end when you exit
There will be a 1 point penalty for each minute past the 10-minute mark

Divisions (there must be at least two entries in a division to be competitive):

Middle School Intermediate or Advanced Drum (concert snare, rudimental snare/tenor, or multiple-percussion)
Middle School Intermediate or Advanced Keyboard
High School Intermediate or Advanced Drum (concert snare, rudimental snare/tenor, or multiple-percussion)
High School Intermediate or Advanced Keyboard
University Drum (concert snare, rudimental snare/tenor, or multiple-percussion)
University Keyboard
Non-competitive – written comments

Equipment:

A marimba and a vibraphone will be provided
Students must provide any other instruments

WRITTEN COMMENTS & CLINIC / CRITIQUE
Each ensemble and soloist will receive written comment sheets. After their performance, ensembles and soloists will receive feedback in the remainder of their performance time slot. The day may also contain other clinics and educational opportunities pending schedules and availability.

PERFORMANCE VENUE(S)
All schools will perform in either the Van Cliburn Concert Hall or Ed Landreth Hall on the TCU campus.

EVENING CONCERT & AWARDS CEREMONY
The TCU Percussion Ensembles will perform an evening concert on Friday 4/10 and Saturday 4/11. Pending availability, there may be guest artists on either, or both concerts. There will be an awards ceremony after the TCU concert on Saturday with the top-scoring ensemble pieces (in each category) and soloists recognized.

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT – NEW FOR 2026
Ensemble and solo registration and payment for performance slots opens September 15th at 9:00 a.m. CST

Performance slots are reserved in the order of submission, and confirmed once payment is received. If you are paying via mail, will we wait 6 weeks for payment to be received.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
In the event you have to cancel your registration, please submit a written notification to band@tcu.edu.

Cancellation requests received fifteen days before the festival will receive a full refund. After that date, you will be charged a $50.00 cancellation fee for ensembles and $5.00 for solos. There are no refunds for “no shows.”

RECORDINGS
Professional audio / video recordings of each school’s performance will be provided.

RECORDINGS PROVIDED BY TCU ARE FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY! A mechanical or synchronization license must be obtained if you intend to distribute, post, etc. TCU and its recording contractors are not responsible if you choose to distribute these recordings without a mechanical license.

COPYRIGHT
Ensembles participating must furnish TWO (2) sets of original scores, and soloists must furnish ONE (1) original of the piece you will be performing, with the measures numbered on each piece to be performed. Duplication of published scores is not acceptable without written permission from the copyright holder. If original scores are not provided, ensembles may still perform but will not be adjudicated or considered for a division award.

We prefer you only perform published music you have purchased. If you are performing an arrangement of a copyrighted song, you will need to prove that you have permission for the arrangement. If proof is not available at the site, TCU and our recording contractors will not produce archival recordings.

QUESTIONS
Contact Festival Coordinators with questions – percussion@tcu.edu

Please visit our social media for current updates, photos, and more:
Instagram – tcupercussion
Facebook – TCU Percussion Studio

FESTIVAL CONCERT TICKETS & EVENT PROGRAM

Purchase Festival Tickets – Coming in 2026

View Festival Program – Coming in 2026

GUEST ARTISTS/CLINICIANS/ADJUDICATOR – More Information coming soon in 2026