THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY College of Music presents
Florida State University Percussion Ensemble
John Will Parks IV, Music Director Featuring
1901 Renegades Rope Drum Ensemble
Austin Pelella, Director
And Special Guests
John Psathas, Composer
Jessica Weinberg, Soloist
Sunday, April 19, 2026
2:00 p.m. | Opperman Music Hall
Ioannis (John) Psathas was born in Wellington New Zealand July 3rd, 1966. From genre-crossing projects with jazz legends Michael Brecker and Joshua Redman, to an e-book scoring collaboration with Salman Rushdie, from a recording session with the Grand Mufti in Paris’s Grand Mosque, to a Billboard classical-chart-topping album with System of a Down front man Serj Tankian, Psathas’s musical journey weaves through myriad of genres, and has moved concert audiences in more than 50 countries on all 7 continents (even Antarctica). His music emerges from a dazzling 21st century backdrop, where dynamic collaboration with creative masters from all corners of the physical and artistic globe result in outcomes that are visionary, moving, and inspired.
Early collaborations included working with luminaries like Sir Mark Elder, Kristjan Jarvi, the Takacs Quartet, Lara St. John, the Netherlands Blazers Ensemble, Evelyn Glennie, Edo de Wart, Joanna MacGregor, Pedro Carneiro, the Halle Orchestra, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Then followed a period of intense creative exploration in the worlds of electronica and jazz, and a series of mega-projects (such as scoring much of the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games). All of which has led to an explosion of first-hand collaborations with artists from dozens of musical traditions spanning Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Australasia.
John is now developing projects that integrate the many strands of this creative journey. Much of his recent work has social and historical commentary at its core. Recently, the epic and experimental No Man’s Land project challenged the accepted handling of WWI commemoration. No Man’s Land involved filming and integrating 150 musicians from more than 25 different countries, including Oum El Ghait (Morocco), Meeta Pandit (India), Bijan Chemirani (Iran/France), Marta Sebestyen (Hungary), Vagelis Karipis (Greece), Refugees of Rap (Syria), Derya Turkan and Saddredin Ozcimi (Turkey) and many more.
Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers.
Recording Notice: This performance may be recorded. Please note that members of the audience may at times be included in this process. By attending this performance you consent to have your image or likeness appear in any live or recorded video or other transmission or reproduction made in conjunction to the performance.
Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.
White Feather (2018)
John Psathas (b. 1966)
The Palace of Nine Perfections (1999) Eric Ewazen II. Through Valleys of Mist (b. 1954)
The “New” New Downfall of Paris (2025)*
Drum Corps on Parade (1969)*
Corybas (2012)
Matre’s Dance (1991)
From In Contact (2007)
Jennifer Weinberg, soloist
Traditional / John S. Pratt arr. Pelella
John S. Pratt arr. Pelella (2026)
John Psathas arr. Carmenates
John Psathas arr. Carmenates
David Skidmore (b. 1982)
* Performed by the 1901 Renegades Rope Drum Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble Personnel
Alex Aquino, Nick Bahr, J.J. Baker, Travis Beeton, Caleb Blakeslee, Ethan Brink
Jordan Brown, Chance Douglas, Ian Guarraia, Waylon Hansel, Miranda Hughes
Drew Jungslager, Matthew Korloch, Aidan Lenski, Caitlin Magennis, Cole Martin
Will McCoy, Owen Montgomery, Gabby Overholt, Austin Pelella, Aiden Pippin
Sami Smith, Ethan Stefanski, Tim Thomas, Ethan Turner, Jessica Weinberg
1901 Renegades Rope Drum Ensemble
Alex Aquino, Nicholas Bahr, JJ Baker, Travis Beeton, Tyler Decker
Chance Douglas, Michael Monette, Aidan Pippen, Ryan Schefstadt, Sami Smith