Josh Williamson currently lives in Wheaton, IL, where he is the Principal Percussionist of the Lake County Symphony Orchestra. Josh teaches all areas of percussion out of his home studio and at Quinlan and Fabish in Arlington Heights, IL. He is an active educator, composer, and session artist in the Chicago-land area. Josh also writes for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Drum Line, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
He received his MM in Percussion Performance from Butler University where he studied with Jon Crabiel, Craig Hetrick, and Jeff Queen, and was the Graduate Assistant in Percussion. He received his BM in Percussion Performance/Music Composition from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he studied with Jerry Bolen and Craig Williams for percussion, and Kimberly Archer for composition, graduating magna cum laude.
He received his MM in Percussion Performance from Butler University where he studied with Jon Crabiel, Craig Hetrick, and Jeff Queen, and was the Graduate Assistant in Percussion. He received his BM in Percussion Performance/Music Composition from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he studied with Jerry Bolen and Craig Williams for percussion, and Kimberly Archer for composition, graduating magna cum laude.
In 2017, Josh gave the World Premier of Donny Walker's Concerto for Percussion. This four movement work for percussion soloist and full orchestra was a momentous collaboration between the Lake County Symphony (then the FullScore Chamber Orchestra) and MindExchange Music Composer Donny Walker. The work asks for over 50 percussion instruments setup in four stations, one station for each movement.
While at Butler University, Josh was Principal Percussionist in the Butler Ballet Orchestra, and a section percussionist with the Butler Symphony. He also helped lead and rehearse the BU Percussion Ensemble, along with guest teaching the World Percussion class. He was extremely active in the Butler Community Arts School: teaching private and group lessons both on Butler's campus and in local schools in Indianapolis. Josh was also a member of the percussion staff at Granite City High School in Granite City, IL and taught private lessons at Halpin Music in Alton, IL. At Halpin, Josh served on staff for the Rock 101 program, as well as teaching, giving clinics, and leading drum circles. He was a substitute for the Alton Symphony Orchestra, served as percussion coach for the Alton Youth Symphony, and has played with the St. Louis Brass Band and the Alton Municipal Band. During his time at SIU-E, he was the Principle Percussionist for the Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Orchestra. Josh also performed with the SIU-E Percussion Ensemble and was a charter member, and first president, of the SIU-E Chapter of SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.)
While at Butler University, Josh was Principal Percussionist in the Butler Ballet Orchestra, and a section percussionist with the Butler Symphony. He also helped lead and rehearse the BU Percussion Ensemble, along with guest teaching the World Percussion class. He was extremely active in the Butler Community Arts School: teaching private and group lessons both on Butler's campus and in local schools in Indianapolis. Josh was also a member of the percussion staff at Granite City High School in Granite City, IL and taught private lessons at Halpin Music in Alton, IL. At Halpin, Josh served on staff for the Rock 101 program, as well as teaching, giving clinics, and leading drum circles. He was a substitute for the Alton Symphony Orchestra, served as percussion coach for the Alton Youth Symphony, and has played with the St. Louis Brass Band and the Alton Municipal Band. During his time at SIU-E, he was the Principle Percussionist for the Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Orchestra. Josh also performed with the SIU-E Percussion Ensemble and was a charter member, and first president, of the SIU-E Chapter of SCI (Society of Composers, Inc.)
He can be heard in the percussion section on the following recordings:
- Chicago Arts Orchestra
- "Prisma: Contemporary Works for Orchestra" 2018 - Navona (Label)
- SIU-E Wind Symphony
- "Wind Adventures" 2010 - Mark Masters (Label)
- "On Fire" 2009 - Mark Masters (Label)
- "Geometric Dances" 2006 - Mark Custom Recording Service, Inc. (Label)
