Tony McCutchen

Biography & Career

Dr. Thomas W. (Tony) McCutchen is the Percussion Coordinator at the University of Georgia School of Music since 1979. Prior to his appointment at UGA, he served as Assistant Band Director / Percussion Instructor at Auburn University and as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi. His professional experience includes performances with the Fort Worth Symphony, Savannah Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Augusta Opera, and the National Opera Company (North Carolina). He plays drumset regularly with the Jim McKillip Trio and annually with the Directors' All-Star Jazz Band at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. He also performs on vibes in Jazz / Latin combo settings as well as on pan with his "Tropical Breeze" Steel Band which is based at the University of Georgia. He has performed at PASlC, IAJE, MENC and GMEA conventions as well as various PAS "Days of Percussion".

Dr. McCutchen is a Fulbright Scholar, having taught and done research for a period of six months in Brazil. He is on the faculty of the annual International Music Festival of the Federal University of Santa Maria (Brazil). He has presented clinics and performed in various parts of Brazil and in Uruguay. As an arranger, Tony has various scores published by Arrangers' Publishing Company, Hal Leonard Publishing Company and Band Music Press. He is an Artist - Clinician for Ludwig / Musser Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, endorses mallets by Innovative Percussion and Regal Tip/Calato drumsticks, and is currently involved with KAT MIDI percussion instruments, serving on the newly-formed P.A.S. MIDI Committee. He has served as an adjudicator for various festivals in several states, and as a performer is equally at home behind a number of instruments ranging from drum set and Latin percussion to jazz vibes, steel drums, marimba, timpani and orchestral percussion.