Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A student in Mississippi State’s College of Education recently finished in the top three at the 2018 New York International Percussion Competition.

David Jenkins, a senior music education major from Franklinton, Louisiana, competed in three categories, placing third in marimba and timpani and second in snare drum and receiving an overall placement of third among a field of nine competitors in the university category at the New York University campus in New York City.

“It is with great pride that we applaud the efforts of David Jenkins for his third-place finish at the New York International Percussion Competition. This is a remarkable achievement, and it highlights David’s daily commitment to rigorous practice and performance at the highest levels,” said Barry Kopetz, head of MSU’s music department.

“Associate Professor Jason Baker is to receive similar commendation for the inspirational teaching and encouragement he has provided both to David, and to the many members of the percussion studio at MSU,” Kopetz said.

Jenkins performed a total of six works for solo percussion in the categories of marimba, snare drum, and timpani—with three assigned works and the others chosen by the performer. On the marimba Jenkins performed “Reflections on the Nature of Water” (Druckman) and “Etude for a Quiet Hall” (Deane), “Saeta” (Carter) and “Soundings” (Engelsrud) on timpani, and “Prim” (Masson) and “Etude No. 9” (Delecluse) on concert snare drum.

“More than the accolades, competing just pushes you to become a better musician. Getting feedback from people who are legends in my field and getting to play in front of them is very important,” Jenkins said.

The New York International Percussion Competition was established by Shoulun Chen in 2014 and brings together students from around the world to participate in several days of master classes and competition. This was the first collaboration with the NYU Steinhardt Percussion Studies Program. Participants competed in two divisions Division I (ages 17 - 26) and Division II (ages 16 and younger). Categories included: marimba, vibraphone, timpani, snare drum, drum set and world percussion.

Top prizes were awarded in all categories and the grand prize awards, which included cash prizes, were given to the three highest scoring competitors from each division that competed in a minimum of three categories.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is now home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit www.educ.msstate.edu. The music department is online at www.music.msstate.edu .

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.