Music Chair Named Yamaha Artist

The Yamaha Corporation of America has signed to its roster Idaho State music chair and percussion professor, Thom Hasenpflug, as a Yamaha Performing Artist.

The prestigious designation recognizes Hasenpflug as a critically acclaimed concert percussionist and educator. All Yamaha artists are active performers and teachers in the music industry.

“Yamaha artists belong to a worldwide family of elite musicians that possess incredible talent, which we at Yamaha are proud to expose to the world,” Yamaha said in a statement.

The Yamaha Performing Artist title functions as a mutual endorsement, with Yamaha providing exposure and support for clinics and workshops. In return, the endorser performs on Yamaha instruments and helps the company visibly and aurally represent its product.

“The support of a major company’s endorsement means a number of things,” Hasenpflug said. “It’s great for offering clinical support not only when I want to promote ISU afield — for example, assisting me to present at a workshop or festival — but when we want to bring in visiting artists to campus to serve our students. I am overjoyed by this announcement and look forward to working with their team in support of ISU’s mission in music education.”  

Currently, Dr. Hasenpflug also actively endorses Sabian cymbals, Remo drumheads and Salyers sticks and mallets.