Andy Salmon

The Woodlands High School Band

Andy Salmon is a 1998 graduate of the University of Kentucky where he received his bachelor’s degree in music education while studying with James Campbell. Mr. Salmon is in his 26th year as Percussion Director at The Woodlands High School and McCullough Junior High School.

During his tenure at the Woodlands High School, the marching band has been a consistent Bands of America Grand National Finalist and was named the 2013 BOA Grand National Champion. The Woodlands band has been a consistent Texas UIL State Finalist. The Woodlands High School Percussion Ensemble was selected as the 2014 Percussive Arts Society “Call for Tapes” high school champion and performed at the 2014 PAS convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Woodlands High School Wind Ensemble has performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra clinic in 2003 and 2012, where he was featured on the xylophone and drum set. Mr. Salmon was a member of 1992 Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps a front ensemble member of the 1995 DCI World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.

Mr. Salmon has been a clinician/conductor of the Tennessee All-State Percussion Ensemble at the 2018 PAS Tennessee Day of percussion, as well as the 2019 Kentucky All State Percussion Ensemble at the Kentucky PAS Day of Percussion. Mr. Salmon has been a solo/ensemble clinician/judge for many groups in the state of Texas.

Mr. Salmon has music published by Tapspace Publications and is an educational endorser for Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth, Evans drum heads, and the Yamaha Corporation.

Andy Salmon'S SETUP:

1.14" HiHats - K Constantinople (top), K Custom Session (bottom) *
2.Stack - 9" FX Oriental Trash Splash (bottom), 6" Splash (top) *
3.19" K Dark Thin Crashes
4.22" K Custom High Definition Ride
5.10" FX China Trash
6.15" FX Azuka Latin Multi-Crash *
7.16" K Dark Thin Crashes

* May be prototype

Andy
Salmon's
IN 3

Andy Salmon's
IN 3

  • WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

    Outstanding music played with soul! No matter the genre or musical instrument, I love and appreciate the soul and intensity of music. I am continually pushing myself and my students to make the best possible music that they can make, whether it's as a soloist or as a full ensemble. Great artists of any generation inspire me with ideas on what is possible both as a musician and as a human being.

  • WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

    Listen. The best way to learn is to hear someone else's point of view and try to understand a different way to do something. Musicians speak without words. It's important to not only hear the notes being played, but search for the meaning behind the music. If we're not listening, we're not truly living. Today's musician must be flexible and be able to adapt to many different situations. You can't be rigid and unable to work with other people. Music is typically a group activity. People skills are equally important to musical chops. If you want to play or teach, be someone that others want to be around!

  • FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

    I have so many favorite Zlldjian cymbals. I'm sentimental to my 20 " K custom ride and K/Z hi-hats that I received as a present from my parents when I was 15 years old. There was nothing like playing on my own Zildjian cymbals for the 1st time. I've been obsessed with Zildjian cymbals since that moment. Currently, I love the classic orchestral cymbals for front ensemble work. I'm also a huge fan of the new K fat hats. The 15" hats sound amazing. I love being able to explore with some of the special efx cymbals. Especially with the Woodlands High School marching band. We have been able to make unique sounds with the spiral trash cymbals, swish knockers and the K efx cymbals.

Andy Salmon’S GO-TO’S

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