Faculty
Dr. Connor Stevens
Assistant Professor of Music (Percussion)
Office: Catlett Music Center 107D
Dr. Connor Stevens has served on faculties at the University of Arkansas -Fort Smith, the University of Missouri, and the Interlochen Arts Camp.
He performs with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Fort Smith Symphony, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Tulsa Symphony, and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Performances have taken him across the U.S. and abroad, including appearances in China, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and Canada.
As a founding member of Frozen Earth Duo, alongside percussionist Brant Blackard, Connor has performed and presented at several colleges and universities. The duo has also performed and presented at the 2018 Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the 2019 Ontario Day of Percussion.
Connor holds Doctorate and Master's degrees from the Eastman School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University. He is an artist/endorser for Malletech instruments and mallets.
Dr. Benjamin Holmes
Instructor of Percussion
Athletic Bands Percussion Coordinator
Email: benjamin.holmes@ou.edu
Benjamin Holmes (b.1991) is originally from Lubbock, Texas and earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education at Texas Tech University. While at Texas Tech, Benjamin was a percussion student of Dr. Lisa Rogers and Alan Shinn. Benjamin earned his master's degree from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 where he studied under Dr. Lance Drege. Benjamin returned to Texas Tech University to earn his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Percussion Performance, studying with Dr. Lisa Rogers and Mr. Brian Kendrick.
Benjamin is an active clinician throughout Texas and Oklahoma presenting educational clinics and masterclasses in both concert and marching percussion. An active performer, Benjamin has performed all over the United states at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, PAS Oklahoma Day of Percussion, Texas Music Educators Association Convention, PAS Canada Day of Percussion, and with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Benjamin earned First Prize in the percussion category of Opis Artists Paris - Music Competition Online.
Benjamin is the co-founder of the Holmes Percussion Duo with his brother Cody, performing original compositions composed by members of the duo. The duo has composed over 20 original works for percussion solo, duo, quartet, and percussion ensemble. Additionally, the Holmes Percussion Duo earned Second Place in the North International Music Competition chamber music category and were members of the illustrious World Percussion Group in 2023. The Holmes brother’s music has been performed in concert halls across the globe with performances in Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America.
Benjamin’s latest compositions and arrangements are available from Tapspace Publications, OU Percussion Press, and HolmesPercussion.com. Benjamin’s percussion duo Palm Reader was nominated for J.W. Pepper’s Editor’s Choice Award in 2021. Currently, Benjamin teaches applied percussion lessons at the University of Oklahoma and is the Percussion Coordinator/Arranger for the Pride of Oklahoma marching band. Benjamin proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks/mallets, Zildjian cymbals and is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
- BME (education) - Texas Tech University
- MM (performance) - University of Oklahoma
- DMA (performance) - Texas Tech University
