ABOUT THE ARTIST Eric Rodgers, Percussion
Eric Rodgers is a senior percussion performance major at West Chester University, originally from Perkasie, Pa, and attended Pennridge High School. Throughout his time at WCU, he has been an active part of the Swope community, performing with a wide range of ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Ensemble, Snare Ensemble, and the WCU Marching Band. Eric has enjoyed the opportunity to explore different musical styles through these groups, building his experience in both traditional concert and contemporary performance settings. During his junior year, he discovered a strong passion for hand drumming, joining the Latin Jazz Ensemble and later competing in the university’s concerto competition with a six-drum conga concerto. One of Eric’s most meaningful projects during his time at West Chester was helping to create the West Chester University Snare Drum Ensemble. With the help and instruction of Ben Baggerly, the group spent a full year preparing to compete and perform at PASIC 2023 (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), making history as the first ensemble from WCU to ever perform at the event. This project put WCU on a much larger scale within the marching arts community. Eric has also been heavily involved in the marching arts throughout his college career. He spent four years performing with the West Chester University Marching Band and marched snare drum with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps during the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024. Most recently, he performed with United Percussion during the 2025 WGI season. Being part of these groups gave Eric the chance to perform at the highest level, travel, and connect with musicians from across the country, all while continuing to challenge himself as a player. In addition to his performance experience, Eric has enjoyed working as a percussion instructor, teaching marching percussion to students across the Greater Philadelphia area. Teaching has allowed him to share his passion for drumming with younger performers and stay involved in the local music community.