Directory
Jeremy Kirk, M.A.
- Position
- Director of Bands and Percussion
- Email Address
- Jeremy.Kirk@sckans.edu
- Phone
- (620) 229-6303
- Bio
Jeremy Kirk is the Director of Bands and Percussion. He has been at SC since 2013. Kirk instructs an array of courses ranging from Introduction to World Music, World Music Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Techniques, Applied Percussion, SC Drumline, and Technology for Music Education.
Academic History
- B.A. in Music Education, Glenville State College
- M.A. in Percussion Performance, Marshall University
Highlighted Achievements
- Southwestern College Exemplary Professor of the Year (2016)
Artist/Endorser
Lecture/Speaking Engagement Topics
Professor Kirk is available for performances and lectures on music. Please contact him at Jeremy.Kirk@sckans.edu for more information.
Interests/Volunteer
Professor Kirk resides in Arkansas City with his wife, Nikki, of 14 years, who is a music educator in the Ark City USD 470 district. They have two children – Clark and Chloe. His hobbies include weight lifting, fitness challenges (such as strongman competitions, ruck events, and tough mudder courses), watching sports, fishing, and storm/tornado chasing. He also studies and trains in hula kahiko (pre-contact hula, Hawaiian Kempo (Mixed Martial Art, or "MMA"), and Shotokan karate.
CV/Sample Links
Biography
Percussionist, educator, and composer, Jeremy Kirk has been called "a Paginini of percussion" (Kevin Webb); "...a one of a kind artist" (Raul Flores);"A complete and balanced percussionist with wonderful beauty and fluidity in all of his work" (Casey Cangelosi); and whose performances have been described as "tantalizingly hypnotic and nothing short of virtuosic" (Dan Redden).
Kirk is active as a performing artist, clinician, and adjudicator throughout North America and is currently Associate Professor of Music at Southwestern College (Winfield, KS) where he serves as Director of Bands, Percussion, and Music Education. At Southwestern, Kirk directs the Band program, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline, African Drum & Dance Ensemble and teaches courses in Percussion Techniques, Applied Percussion, and Music Education. Kirk has appeared at notable events such as the National Association for Music Education National Conference, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Kansas Music Educators Association Conference, West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, and various PAS Days of Percussion throughout North America. He frequently tours to universities and high schools to present recitals, master classes, and clinics on topics such as contemporary multiple percussion, marimba, orchestral percussion, timpani, marching percussion, percussion ensemble, world percussion, effective practice habits, and mental performance preparation. He has been blessed to share the stage with renowned musicians including percussionists Michael Burritt, She-e Wu, Dave Samuels, Ney Rosauro, and Arthur Lipner; country music artists Sarah Evans and Kathy Chiavola; bluegrass legends Ralph Stanley and Jim & Jesse Reynolds; and groups including the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, Manheim Steamroller, and Flat Baroque (Mostly) Marimba Quartet.
Kirk serves on the Percussive Arts Society Technology Committee and is currently working on several commissions for percussion ensemble and solo percussion. He previously served as Director of The Presidents Drum & Bugle Corps, Percussion Caption Head of The Presidents, Director of Bands & Percussion at Coffeyville Community College, Instructor of Percussion at Marshall University, and has taught in the public schools of West Virginia and Kansas. As an educator, Professor Kirk is deeply committed to providing students the skills necessary to excel in today's world as an educator and/or performer. Kirk combines his traditional training in Western percussion instruments (snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, drumset, multiple percussion, marching percussion) with his extensive knowledge in world percussion including Ewe drumming, Shona mbria, North Indian tabla, Japanese taiko, Javanese & Balinese gamelan, and Caribbean steel pans to create a unique global perspective in his teaching and performing.
He holds a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from Marshall University and Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Glenville State College. His previous teachers include Leigh Howard Stevens, (marimba), She-e Wu (marimba), John McKinney (percussion), Ben Miller (percussion), Steve Hall (percussion), Mark Zanter (composition), Paul Balshaw (conducting and composition), Joe Porcaro (drum set), and Paschal Younge (African drumming and dance ).
Mr. Kirk is an artist, clinician, and consultant with Majestic Percussion, Mapex Drums, Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads & World Percussion and Black Swamp Accessory Percussion, and holds memberships in the Percussive Arts Society, College Music Society, College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, and Kansas Music Educators Association. He resides in Arkansas City (KS) with his wife Nikki, son Clark, and daughter Chloe.
