Dr. Ben Tomlinson is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Percussion at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where he teaches Applied Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Methods, and oversees all aspects of the percussion program at TAMUK. Previously, he was on faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University and has held teaching assistantships at Florida State University and the University of South Carolina
As a performer, Dr. Tomlinson is dedicated to the creation and continuation of new and canonic works within the percussive repertoire and has premiered new works by Adam Silverman, John Luther Adams, John Fitz Rogers, Ellen Taafe Zwilich, and Brian Nozny. Professionally, he frequently performs with the Longview Symphony in Longview, TX, and has previously appeared with ensembles across the Southeastern United States, including the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Ballet, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the South Carolina Philharmonic. Dr. Tomlinson has performed nationally and internationally in some of the most visible venues in music including Carnegie Hall, and the China National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China as part of a ten-day tour with the University of South Carolina Wind Ensemble. Additionally, he performed at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention with the University of South Carolina Percussion Ensemble. Dr. Tomlinson’s recent recording credits include performances on The Florida State University Percussion Ensemble’s Volume 3: Ten Windows (2015, Garnet House Productions), Adam Silverman: Percussion Music (2014, New Focus Recordings),Carbon Paper and Nitrogen Ink: Works for Solo Marimba and Percussion Ensemble(2014, Resonator Records), and Leonard Bernstein: Transcriptions for Wind Band (2012, Naxos).
As an educator, Dr. Tomlinson is an active clinician in universities and public schools across the Southeastern United States and Texas where he adjudicates festivals, presents masterclasses, and teaches private lessons. Recently, he gave a clinic at the 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio titled, “10 Things Your Percussion Methods Teacher Wants You to Remember.” His research interests include creating pedagogical materials for the non-percussionist music educator. To that end, he currently curates a blog, Percussion Talk, a space dedicated to providing percussive educational materials. Active in the marching arts, Dr. Tomlinson performed with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, and he regularly arranges music for marching percussion ensembles across the United States. He previously served as the primary percussion arranger for the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjack Marching Band where his arrangements were heard at the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
Dr. Tomlinson holds a Doctor of Music degree from the Florida State University, a Master of Music degree from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University. His primary teachers include John W. Parks IV, Scott Herring, Omar Carmenates, John Beckford, and Gary Robinson. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society, Phi Mu Alpha, and Pi Kappa Lambda, and is a proud endorser of Innovative Percussion Inc. sticks and mallets, and Grover Pro Percussion. Ben resides in Kingsville, TX, with his wife, Paulette, and their two dogs, Ellie and Pumpkin.
School of Music
MUEB 106
MSC 174 Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202
Voice: (361) 593-2670
Email: benjamin.tomlinson@tamuk.edu
Personal Website: https://www.bentomlinsonpercussion.com
