The University of Tennessee at Martin Percussion Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Julie Hill. The ensemble is diverse in scope, specializing in contemporary and world percussion music of all types.

The University of Tennessee at Martin percussion ensemble has performed internationally at the PercuSonidos International Percussion Festival in Tampico, Mexico, the Universidad Federal (UFBA) in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and regionally on numerous occasions at the Tennessee Music Educators Conference. 

In addition, the ensemble provides West and Middle Tennessee communities with a number of educational clinic and concert opportunities including the Roots of Rhythm Presentations. The mission of the UTM Percussion ensemble is to promote diversity and tolerance of cultural differences through music.

The UTM Percussion Ensemble has performed with world renown artists such as Zoro, Anders Astrand, Michael Gould, James Campbell, Miles Osland, Steve Houghton, Ney Rosauro, the Caixa Trio, James Ross, Brian Mason, John Parks, Michael McIntosh, Glen Caruba, and Matt Savage.

History:

The UTM Percussion ensemble was founded in the fall of 1969 and experienced 36 years of growth and excellence under the direction of Professor Nancy Mathesen. Dr. Julie Hill came to UTM in the fall of 2005 after Prof. Mathesen's retirement. Dr. Hill strives to teach contemporary and world percussion styles through the diverse literature performed by the percussion ensemble.

Graduates:

UTM graduates have secured successful teaching careers in public schools and at colleges such as the University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Louisville, San Jose State University.  Recent graduates have pursued their Master Of Music degrees in Percussion and Music Therapy and have received Graduate Teaching Assistantships to universities such as the University of Kentucky, University of Wisconsin (Madison), Appalachia State University, and Central Arkansas University.  Another graduate has recently been named mayor of a West TN town.