Graeme Francis, Percussion

A native of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Dr. Francis received an Undergraduate degree in Honors Music Education from the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, a Masters in Percussion Performance at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Texas at Austin. His percussion instructors include Jill Ball, Thomas Burritt, Doug Howard, Kalman Cherry, Ed Smith, Tony Edwards, and Brannen Temple.

He has performed with the Austin Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, the Mid-Texas Symphony, The Corpus Christi Symphony, the Prince Edward Island Symphony, the Rome Festival Orchestra, and with a multitude of chamber ensembles. His musical activities encompass a wide variety of music from orchestral to jazz to world percussion. Graeme has recorded with the Meadows Wind Ensemble and the University of Texas Chamber Singers for the Gasparo and Naxos labels. He is also very active as a studio drummer in the Austin area.

Dr. Francis is a member of the Austin Chamber Music Center faculty and is the Music Director of the American Repertory Ensemble (ARE). His solo performances with ARE have been nominated for Outstanding Solo Instrumental Performance by the Austin Critic’s Table in 2008 and 2009. A founding member, drummer, and director of the UTSA Faculty Jazz Combo, Dr. Francis has served as Lecturer in Percussion at the University of Texas at San Antonio since 2006.

Percussion Studio Website.

Courses Taught

Private Instruction - Percussion
Rock and Roll History
Intro to Drum Set Improvisation
Percussion Ensemble