The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society exists to foster ongoing education and enjoyment in the area of percussion performance. Through dedication and training we intend to set new standards in percussion education for the Mid-Atlantic region. We further intend to be the example by which other organizations will benchmark their successes and to which the music educators of our area may look for guidance in teaching their young performers the percussive arts.
Mid Atlantic Percussion Society is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Corporation.
Administration
Marty Griffin
Judging Coordinator
Natalie Torchia
Communications/Social Media Coordinator
About Us
The Mid Atlantic Percussion Society (MAPS) was formed in 1999 by several percussion educators in the southeastern PA region. We were all competing in our local circuits and feeling like we needed to stretch our legs, to have better venues, provide the best adjudicators, raise the bar for designers and performers, and to remove the center bars from the doors! In addition, we wanted to create a circuit that would align with and prepare our local ensembles for national level competition.
MAPS started with two shows in 1999 at Central Bucks West HS and North Penn HS. We have also provided clinics from the likes of Thom Hannum, Mark Thurston, Dennis DeLucia and more. From there we have built 24 full seasons that include an individual and ensemble competition, and have had more than 75 different ensembles pass through MAPS over the years. Along the way we have helped many groups to succeed at the national level. We are excited to have had many WGI finalist ensembles "grow up" in MAPS, including several World Champions.
In 1999 very few local ensembles were traveling to WGI regionals and/or championships in Dayton, OH. Mostly because few were prepared for that level of competition. We set out to build relationships with the best of the best in terms of adjudicators, corporate sponsors, and other "drumline only" circuits. We intended to bring the best experience to our local groups that we could muster. We wanted to improve the percussion performers and designers in our area through competition, state of the art feedback from nationally known adjudicators, and cutting edge practices.
One of our additonal crowning achievements is a championship event that is rivaled by no other circuit in our region. Where else can you get an evaluation of your program or play your individual solo in front of the likes of Scott Johnson, Dennis DeLucia, Mark Thurston, Giff Howarth, Ed Argenziano, Marty Griffin, Mike Lietzke, Julie Davila, and many other world class percussion adjudicators. Click on our season events page to see the judging panels for 2024.
We are looking forward to a long history here at MAPS. We hope you will be part of it.
In Memoriam
Dale Brown
Dale Brown was a founding member of MAPS in 1999, and served as the Treasurer and Travel Coordinator until his passing in May 2018.
Darrell "Bubba" Goslin
Darrell "Bubba" Goslin served as the MAPS Judging Coordinator from 2008 until his passing in January, 2011.