James Campbell has received world-wide recognition as a performer, teacher, arranger, adjudicator and is a respected figure in the development of the contemporary percussion ensemble. He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Singapore. Currently Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, he also holds the position of Principal Percussionist with the Lexington Philharmonic.
Jim received both his B.M. in Music Education and M.M. in Percussion Pedagogy and Performance from Northern Illinois University where he studied with G. Allan O'Connor and members of the famed Blackearth Percussion Group. He also was a student of late James Lane of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Well known for his long association with the internationally renowned Rosemont Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Jim has served as their principal instructor, arranger, and Program Coordinator. He was Percussion Director for the McDonald's All-American High School Band and has performed at the International Society of Music Education World Conference, MENC National In-Service Conference, Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic, Texas Bandmasters Association, Bands of America World Percussion Symposium, and at several Percussive Arts Society International Conventions.
Among his works for concert and marching percussion, Jim has published with Hal Leonard Publishing, C.L. Barnhouse Co., C. Alan Publications, Innovative Percussion and Row-Loff Productions with whom he has just released a new method book, "Championship Technique for Marching Percussion".
Jim serves on the Board of Directors of the Percussive
Arts Society and is an Associate Editor for their international publication,
Percussive Notes. He serves as an endorsee for Silver
Fox Percussion, Innovative
Percussion and is a member of the Latin
Percussion Educational Advisory Board. Jim is a clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company and a
Performing Artist for Yamaha Corporation
of America, Band & Orchestral Instruments Division.
Ellis Hampton is currently completing his Bachelors Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Kentucky under James Campbell. Ellis instructed/arranged for the UK Drum Line in 2000-2001. He also has instructed/arranged for several high schools in the Kentucky area including the Layfayette High School Band, Lexington and the North Hardin High School Band in Radcliff. Ellis teaches private lessons in the Lexington and Radcliff areas as well.
Ellis's performance experience includes various ensembles at the University of Kentucky including Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Choristers, Marching Band, Indoor Drum Lne, Percussion Ensemble and the UK Percussion Quartet. From 1996-2001 he participated in the renouned Cavaliers Drum and Bugle corps. Ellis was in the snare line from 1996-2000 and served as Drum Sergeant in 1999-2000 helping to capture two High Percussion Trophies along with the 2000 DCI World Champtionship. In 2001 he was Assistant Drum Major where he helped to win the DCI World Championship.
Robert Parks received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Austin Peay State University where he studied percussion with Professor David Steinquest. Currently, Robert is a Doctoral Candidate and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky where he studies percussion with Professor James Campbell, where he received a Master's Degree in Percussion Performance. His teaching duties include the percussion methods class, undergraduate percussion lessons, arranger'instructor for the UK Drum Line, Director of Blue Steel Professional Steel Drum Band, and Assistant Conductor with the UK Percussion Ensemble.
Robert performs regularly with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra as an extra percussionist and is an adjunct faculty member at Centre College in Danville, KY, where he directs the percussion ensemble and teaches applied lessons. During the summer of 1999, Robert was a member of the Canton Bluecoats. He has been on the faculty at the Bands of America Summer Symposium since the summer of 2001, served on the faculty of Yamaha Sounds of Summer Camps and has taught and arranged for high schools throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. Robert is a founding member of the UK Percussion Quartet, which has performed throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, including a performance at the first annual Bands of America National Percussion Ensemble Festival.
Previous Drum Line Staff:
2002 Ellis Hampton/Mark Hunter/Robert Parks
2001 Ellis Hampton/Mark Hunter/Robert Parks
2000 Eric Willie/Ellis Hampton
1992-93 Scott Kretzer
1991 Brian Morgan
1990 Jim Corcoran
1988 Larry Byington/Brian Mason
1985-87 Jim Campbell
1984 Mark Purdom/Dale Ashby/Robin Gooch/Don Newberry
1980 Dale Ashby/Don Newberry
The University of Kentucky Drum line is also under the direction of:
George R. Boulden, Associate Director of Bands
