Dr. Gordon Hicken is an Assistant Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Bands, and Coordinator of Percussion at Stevenson University outside of Baltimore, Maryland where he teaches Marching Percussion, the Pep Band, and Introduction to Music History courses. In addition to his duties at SU, Dr. Hicken is a member of the percussion faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Prior to his appointment at Stevenson, Dr. Hicken served on the faculties of Midwestern State University, Angelo State University, and the University of South Carolina.

As a performer, Dr. Hicken appeared as a soloist on the 2013 Percussive Arts Society International Convention’s “Celebration of Emerging Artists” showcase concert, and he is a member of the saxophone and percussion duo Rogue Two along with Dr. Andrew J. Allen. Since the ensemble’s founding in 2015, Rogue Two performed recitals of commissioned chamber works at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention, multiple North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, and the 18th World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia. They released their debut studio album, Step Inside: New American Music for Saxophone and Percussion, on Equilibrium Records in 2017.

Under his direction, Dr. Hicken’s percussion ensembles have accepted invitations to perform at the 2018 TMEA Convention, the 2018 Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges Annual Meeting, and as an exhibition group at the 2017 UIL Texas 2A State Marching Contest. His students earned acceptance to graduate percussion studios at Indiana University, the University of South Carolina, and Oklahoma City University, and other students secured teaching jobs as certified music educators across the country.

Dr. Hicken presented sessions and clinics at state, national, and international percussion and music education conferences, and he is an active clinician in universities and secondary schools. He arranges music for marching and concert percussion ensembles throughout the United States, and he published articles in the Percussive Arts Society Educator’s Companion, the Percussive Arts Society Percussion Ensemble Compendium, Rhythm! Scene, and the National Association of Collegiate Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal.

Dr. Hicken holds a Doctor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from The Florida State University, a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Furman University. His primary teachers include Dr. John W. Parks IV, Dr. Scott Herring, Dr. John Beckford, Prof. James Hall, and Mr. Ron Schwartz. Dr. Hicken is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. He currently serves on the Percussive Arts Society University Pedagogy Committee, and he is a proud educational artist for Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets, and Black Swamp Percussion.