Congratulations to all participants of the 2017 MPA Solo and Ensemble Contest for awesome performances! Here are the winners of each category:

• Marching Snare Solo Age 18-: Ryan Matuzak, Minnesota Brass Indoor
• Marching Snare Solo Age 19–22: Zach Fitzgibbon, Minnesota Brass Indoor
• Batterie Ensemble Age 19–22: Tony Trinkner, Zach Church & Andy Eklund; Minnesota Brass Indoor
• Marching Tenor Solo Age 18-: Garrett Sorensen; Irondale High School
• Marching Tenor Solo Age 19–22: Tanner Bergersen
• Piano Solo Age 18-: Noah Helke, Burnsville High School
• Guitar Ensemble Age 19–22: Cory Tilseth & Zachary Brewer, River City Rhythm
• Bass Drum Ensemble Age 18-: Burnsville High School
• Concert & Multi-Percussion Solo Age 19-22: Collin Kuehn, River City Rhythm
• Marching Cymbals Age 19–22: Minnesota Brass Indoor
• Drum Set Solo Age 18-: Parker Lindberg, River City Rhythm
• Electronic Instrument Solo Age 19–22: Collin Gilmore, Minnesota Brass Indoor
• Keyboard Solo Age 18-: Emily Schouweiler, River City Rhythm
• Keyboard Solo Age 19–22: Kathryn Jordan, River City Rhythm
• Frontline Instrument Ensemble Age 18-: Jenna Smith & Tova Andersland
• Frontline Instrument Ensemble Age 19–22: Elise Borman & Dan Nordman, Minnesota Brass Indoor & River City Rhythm

The annual MPA Solo and Ensemble Contest is a great opportunity for students to advance and show off their musicianship skills by preparing a solo or ensemble piece. Join us at the 2017 contest March 4 between the afternoon and evening portions of the WGI Minneapolis regional at Burnsville High School.

Here are the schedules for the two rooms the contest will be held in:

• Band room
• Auditorium

Schedules are subject to change.

The 2017 Minnesota Percussion Association Day of Percussion is just around the corner and is bound to be as exciting as ever! It will take place on Saturday, January 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rosemount High School in Rosemount, MN.  

Click here for directions to Rosemount High School.

Click here for the schedule of clinics.

Click here for the full information packet, including descriptions of the clinics, clinician bios, a full schedule, and more information.

The 2017 Day of Percussion will feature:

• 22 clinics on marching, concert and world percussion
• Clinicians and performing groups, including:
  • Mark Ford (percussion activities coordinator for the University of North Texas)
  • Amir Oosman and Ralph Nader (BYOS)
  • Daniel Waples (Handpan artist)
  • Minnesota State Mankato Percussion Ensemble
  • MPA Student Leadership Team Drumline 
• A raffle drawing for various donations received from corporate and local sponsors

Check out videos of three of our headlining acts: Mark Ford; Amir Oosman and Ralph Nader (BYOS); and Daniel Waples.

Registration for the event will start at 8:30 a.m. Members of MPA ensembles are provided free admittance. 

Lunch will be available for purchase in the afternoon. A full meal (Subway sandwich, chips, cookie and a drink) will be $6. Percussion vendors will also be on site selling sticks, mallets, drum pads, and other accessories.  

Questions? E-mail MPA Day of Percussion coordinator Vlad Boz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Minnesota Percussion Association (MPA) and North Star Circuit are excited to announce that MPA will include indoor winds groups starting with the 2017 season!

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions and for help with registering a winds group for MPA.

To ensure MPA is in full compliance with copyright-related laws amid an increasingly tough and uncertain environment for performing arts organizations across the country, the Board of Directors has decided to not post or sell videos of 2016 MPA Championships and beyond for now. We are monitoring the situation and will provide an update when available. 

Thank you for your patience!

MPA and the greater percussion community in Minnesota and beyond have lost a legend. Dick Rausch, a long-time instructor of the Rocori High School Drumline and namesake of MPA's Dick Rausch Instructor of the Year award, passed away at age 63 on Nov. 22. He was a teacher, performer, friend, and mentor to so many in the percussion community in Minnesota, though his influence reached far beyond. His impact is impossible to summarize, but this tribute from one of the people who knew him best might come close.