Compositions

Sean Hamilton

Sean Hamilton is an active percussionist, composer, and educator currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the University of South Florida, where his teachers include Mr. Robert McCormick and Dr. Baljinder Sekhon in percussion and composition, respectively. Prior to coming to USF, Sean studied at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with honors and was the recipient of the prestigious Kate Brennan Music Education Scholarship. At SRU, his teachers included Dr. David Glover and Dr. Stephen Barr.

As an active performer, his experiences are diverse and include work in the symphonic, rock, jazz, world music, and contemporary classical realms. Notable performances include appearances with the Butler County Symphony, performances with saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi and trombonist Victor Barranco, multiple performances at the Percussive Arts Society’s Pennsylvania Day of Percussion and Pennsylvania Music Educator’s Convention, and several collaborations with visual artists in Florida and Pennsylvania. In 2013, he organized the Impulse Collective, an interdisciplinary group of artists, dancers, writers, and musicians dedicated to promoting the art of improvisation through concerts and masterclasses. Sean is also featured on the CD “Music for Unspecified Instrumentation” to be released by the McCormick Percussion Group on Parma’s Ravello Records.

In addition to his studies in percussion and composition at USF, Sean serves as the graduate teaching assistant for the percussion studio. Prior to relocating to Tampa, Sean served in several of the Pittsburgh region’s public schools, teaching band, percussion, music history, and chorus. He also was the director and percussion arranger for the Seneca Valley “Raider” Marching Band drum line for three seasons, and the director of Seneca Valley Percussion Ensemble at the Seneca Valley School District for one year.

Recently, his miniature work “Gears” was selected by the dissonArt ensemble to be premiered as part of the 48th Dimitria Festival of the City of Thessaloniki, Greece. In 2012, Sean organized his senior recital, entitled “It is Within Us”, which featured six of his original compositions for solo instruments and chamber groups. His growing compositional interests are diverse and include the use of electronics and video and collaborations with other art disciplines. His portfolio includes works for chamber ensembles, solo percussion, and electro-acoustic mediums that have been performed throughout the United States and in Europe.