On the Nature of Percussion Masterworks

The following is a transcript of the panel discussion “On the Nature of Percussion Masterworks,” presented at the Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 10 November 2011. The author served as moderator; the panel consisted of Allen Otte (founding member of both the Blackearth Percussion Group and Percussion Group Cincinnati; Professor of Music, University of Cincinnati), Morris Palter (Assistant Professor of Music, University of Alaska-Fairbanks; PAS New Music/Research Committee member), Christopher Shultis (Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music, University of New Mexico; founding member of the PAS New Music/Research Committee), and Stuart Saunders Smith (composer; founding member of the PAS New Music/ Research Committee).