FLORENCE – Three percussion students from the University of North Alabama placed in the Taiwan World Percussion Alliance 2020 Online Competition recently; the competition is sponsored by Taiwan Percussion Arts. Matthew Mansour, Kyle Blair, and Miles Wheeler entered and placed in all of their categories.
The competition was entered, and judged, by performers from around the world. Submissions had to be one unedited take and angle to the video. There were more than 90 entries in the competition, and many of them from countries that often dominate these events. Each of the entries from UNA used videos prepared during the Fall 2020 semester.
- Mansour won the undergraduate marimba division. He also received the bronze judges’ choice prize for the entire competition and across all divisions.
- Blair placed first in the vibraphone category.
- Wheeler placed fifth in the undergraduate marimba division. He was also selected as a lottery winner, which meant he
received items from the companies that sponsored the competition.
received items from the companies that sponsored the competition.
“We are very proud of these students for their work and being so competitive on the international level,” said Dr. Tracy Wiggins, Percussion Area Coordinator and Assistant Director of Bands at UNA.
If travel options reopen for the summer, UNA’s drumline has again been invited to perform at the Taiwan World Percussion Alliance event.
Media Release/Ms. Michelle R. Eubanks
Director
University Communications & Marketing
UNA
