Department of Music Faculty and Staff

Dr. Mark Berry is Professor of Percussion at Western Kentucky University. He is Principal Timpanist with Orchestra Kentucky, a position he has held since 2002. As timpanist and percussionist, he has performed with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Cleveland Baroque Ensemble, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony, the Cantari Singers of Columbus, the Great Lakes Symphony Orchestra, the Westerville Symphony, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Berry's three solo CD recordings can be heard on the Soundset record label. An avid composer, Berry’s compositions are published by Bachovich Music Publishing, C-Alan Publications, HoneyRock Publishing, Living Sound Publications, and Tapspace Publications. He has also published several articles in Percussive Notes and is a recognized authority on the triangle—its history, repertoire, and instrument design.

Through a grant award from the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education, Dr. Berry founded the WKU Steelband in 2004. Also, Dr. Berry has served as percussion writer, arranger, instructor, adjudicator, and consultant with many high school marching band programs throughout the Midwest.

Prior to coming to Western Kentucky University, Dr. Berry taught percussion at West Virginia University and the University of Michigan, Flint. Dr. Berry has earned degrees from the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University. His principal teachers include Michael Udow, Salvatore Rabbio, and James L. Moore, with additional studies with Michael Bump and Fernando Meza.