Michael Sammons
Michael Sammons, D.M.A. is recognized as a versatile performer in solo, chamber, symphonic,
marching percussion, and non-western musical styles and currently serves as the Percussion
Area Head at the University of Utah. In addition to his work with the Utah Symphony Orchestra,
he has performed with various national theater touring shows including Disney’s Aladdin,
Harlem Nights, Mean Girls, and Mamma Mia amongst others, and regularly performs with NOVA
New Music Chamber Series, Utah Opera, and Ballet West. His work can be heard on ABC,
ESPN, TNT, NPR as well as diverse recording projects for Warner Chappell Music, Utah
Chamber Artists and the Utah Symphony Orchestra.
Sammons has appeared throughout the U.S. and in Brazil as a guest artist and clinician
including multiple performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention
(PASIC), XII Festival de Percussão 2 de Julho in Salvador Brazil, Universidad Federal de Rio de
Janeiro, Universidad da Bahia and Universidad de Recife, Northwest Percussion Festival,
various Percussive Arts Society's "Days of Percussion,” National Association for Music
Education, and numerous state Music Educators Association Conventions as well as
universities across the U.S. He has commissioned works by prominent composers including
Jason Baker, Christopher Bradford, Christopher Deane, Chad Floyd, Anders Koppel, Áskell
Másson, Marc Mellits, Brian Nozny, Josephy C. Phillips, and Dwayne Rice.
Sammons is an artist endorsee for Vic Firth, Remo, Zildjian, and Grover Pro Percussion, and is a Yamaha Performing Artist. His travels abroad include Trinidad, Ghana, and Brazil.
Viktor Valkov - Piano
Keith Carrick - Marimba
Jason Nicholson - Vibraphone
Danny Soulier - Timpani