The Inner Rhythm! by Nicholaus Meyers

The Inner Rhythm! by Nicholaus Meyers was composed during the summer of 2022. This work brings together the sounds of Kumi-Daiko (Japanese drumming) often referred to as Taiko drumming along with Native American traditional drumming. The ensemble is based around ten various drums ranging from high pitch to low pitch. Throughout the work there are three groups of instruments that work together or in unison with everyone. With the constant eighth note running throughout the piece, the performer must internalize the rhythm to help keep the piece moving toward its conclusion. The Inner Rhythm! by Nicholaus Meyers was premiered by the East Central University Percussion Ensemble, January 20, 2023, at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association Conference in Tulsa, OK.

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About Nicholaus Meyers

Nicholaus Meyers, a native of Georgia, is currently Director of Bands and Percussion, and serves as Chair for the Department of Performing Arts at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Dr. Meyers directs the ECU “Pride of Tigerland” marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, percussion ensemble, teaches applied percussion, conducting, and other courses in the music education sequence. Additionally, he organizes a large annual high school marching band competition “Tigerpalooza” at East Central University that brings marching bands from across the state of Oklahoma to compete. Before coming to ECU, he was the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota and Director of Bands, Percussion, and Composition at Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. Additionally, he serves as a faculty member at IMC (International Music Camp) and as a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.

Before coming to Oklahoma, Dr. Meyers also taught at Augusta State University, Troy University, and Augusta Technical College and was the Assistant Director of Bands at Lakeside High School in Evans, Georgia. Other ensembles he has performed with consist of the Augusta Symphony, Augusta Opera, Augusta Players, Augusta Chorale Society, Greater Grand Forks Symphony, Oak Ridge Symphony, and Fort Gordon Dinner Theater. Dr. Meyers keeps an active schedule giving masterclasses, discussions, adjudicating, serving as a honor band clinician and performing.

He is also a commissioned composer whose works have been performed throughout the United States and Europe. His first CD “Stepping Away” was released on September 19, 2016 which features his solo piano music. Meyers has also released several track which can be found on youtube of his original works for band and percussion.

Currently, he is the President of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). He also served in this position when he lived in North Dakota. Dr. Meyers is also the past Chair of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Composition Committee, past President of the PAS North Dakota Chapter, and past Chair of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Band. Further memberships include the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Percussive Arts Society (PAS), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and is an Honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Meyers received his degrees from Augusta State University (BM), the University of Tennessee (MM) and North Dakota State University (DMA). Additionally, he studied at the University of Georgia and in Oslo, Norway with Principal Percussionist Christian Berg of the Oslo, Philharmonic. He is sponsored by Aquarian Drumheads, Black Swamp Percussion, Gon Bops, Innovative Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, and the Yamaha Corporation. Many of his works are published by C. Alan Publications, HaMar Music, and Per-Mus Publications.