Mitch Markovich
Dir. of Perc. Studies - Protege Music Academy / Author - United States
Overview
Mr. Mitch Markovich is best known for being the only drummer to ever become three-time consecutive undefeated National Champion, and five-time consecutive undefeated Illinois State Snare Drum Champion. In addition, he has contributed to, or has been directly responsible for 12 National and 23 State, Individual and Group Championships in the Drum and Bugle Corps marching percussion field. He is a clinician and concert artist for the Pearl Drum Company and the Evans Drum Head Company.
While Mr. Markovich is internationally known for his teaching and composing skills, he is also an expert in Drum Set, Rock, Big Band Jazz, and Contemporary Christian Praise and Worship music. His unique musical, and extremely innovative, approach to drum set leaves people marveling at the powerful emotional atmospheres he is able to create.
Mr. Markovich studied percussion with George Gaber at Indiana University, James Dutton at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, and famed Ludwig Drum Company Clinician and National Champion Frank Arsenault, and received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Fort Hays State University. He has taught and performed at Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, the University of Missouri at KC Conservatory of Music, the University of Wisconsin, and Northwestern University among others. He was a featured clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, and guest clinician and judge at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The author of the internationally known snare drum classics “Stamina,” “Tornado,” and “Four Horsemen,” Mr. Markovich has performed at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and Civic Opera House. Author of a ten part series of solos, duets, and quartets, he has also penned a soon-to-be-published piece for Brass and Percussion Choir called “Creation One.”
Mr. Markovich headed the Percussion Department at Fort Hays State University in Kansas for eight years. Students have come from many states to study with him and former students include professors, university department heads, professional players, and teachers.
Mr. Markovich lectured and performed at the Fredrick Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland, the 2004 and 2005 International Festival of Percussive Arts and the International Percussion Congress, toured with the Polish National Military Band, and performed for the US Embassy.
Mr. Markovich has been on the faculty of the Joy School of Performing Arts, the drummer/percussionist for the River Church America, and plays in a powerful Christian band. He was elected President of the National Association of Rudimental Drummers, a member of the International Association of Rudimental Percussionists, and The Percussive Arts Society.
In the Drum and Bugle Corps field, he marched with the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, and has taught, written, or consulted for the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, the National Champion Chicago Royal Airs, the National Champion Argonne Rebels from Great Bend, Kansas, the Santa Clara Vanguard from California and many others.