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Ashton Black is a percussionist studying at Ithaca College for a bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performance. He has participated in the music arts since 2016 and has been a percussionist since 2022. His background contains several different experiences ranging from the marching arts to the orchestral world on several different instruments. His musical journey has built him into the musician he is today.
He has had the chance to play in many ensembles such as wind symphony, orchestra, brass band, percussion ensemble, pep band, marching band, indoor percussion, steel band, district bands, and honor bands. Outside of the ensemble he is an excellent leader and has taken on several roles within his local music organizations such as his high school Student Board Representative, Committee Chairman, Band Manager, and Student Volunteer Coordinator for the school’s indoor marching arts competition.
Read more about him below or take a look at his Media page to see the latest photos, performances, and recordings that Ashton is creating!
He has had the chance to play in many ensembles such as wind symphony, orchestra, brass band, percussion ensemble, pep band, marching band, indoor percussion, steel band, district bands, and honor bands. Outside of the ensemble he is an excellent leader and has taken on several roles within his local music organizations such as his high school Student Board Representative, Committee Chairman, Band Manager, and Student Volunteer Coordinator for the school’s indoor marching arts competition.
Read more about him below or take a look at his Media page to see the latest photos, performances, and recordings that Ashton is creating!
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More About Ashton
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Ashton is currently a percussionist but his roots come from the bassoon. In 2016 he had the big choice to pick an instrument for middle school band class. He wasn't really into any of the instruments except for the bassoon. His band director told him that this was the hardest instrument he could pick and didn’t know if he would even be able to make a sound. Despite this hurdle, Ashton took this as a challenge upon himself to work hard and diligently to be the best he could. Since that day he has taken it upon himself to push his limits and become the best player, musician, teacher, performer, and leader he can be.
His first spark of love for percussion originated when he decided to join his high school’s indoor percussion program. He practiced and practiced day in and day out for the auditions. Due to his hard work and dedication, he made the spot on the tenor line. He was thrilled to be able to have this chance to play the marching tenors. He continued to march tenors through high school and once he reached the end of his junior year of high school he took the leap to switch his primary instrument to percussion. His senior year he played in 7 ensembles and used the valuable experiences that he was learning to prepare for his undergraduate auditions. At the end of his senior year, he was given the school-recognized award for outstanding performance in the musical arts.
Today he is a student at Ithaca College Studying under Mike Truesdell and Conrad Alexander to obtain a bachelor's degree in music education and performance. He is currently participating in the IC Symphony Orchestra, IC Steel Band, and IC Percussion Ensemble.
His first spark of love for percussion originated when he decided to join his high school’s indoor percussion program. He practiced and practiced day in and day out for the auditions. Due to his hard work and dedication, he made the spot on the tenor line. He was thrilled to be able to have this chance to play the marching tenors. He continued to march tenors through high school and once he reached the end of his junior year of high school he took the leap to switch his primary instrument to percussion. His senior year he played in 7 ensembles and used the valuable experiences that he was learning to prepare for his undergraduate auditions. At the end of his senior year, he was given the school-recognized award for outstanding performance in the musical arts.
Today he is a student at Ithaca College Studying under Mike Truesdell and Conrad Alexander to obtain a bachelor's degree in music education and performance. He is currently participating in the IC Symphony Orchestra, IC Steel Band, and IC Percussion Ensemble.
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