Dr. David Collier is University Professor of Percussion and Associate Director of the School of Music at Illinois State University. Dr. Collier is currently principal timpanist with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Heartland Festival Orchestra. He has served as timpanist with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia da camera, Laredo Philharmonic, and Corpus Christi Symphony. In addition, Collier is also active as a freelance percussionist and has performed with artists such as Mannheim Steamroller, Celtic Woman, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Hamlisch, Joel Gray, Mitzi Gaynor, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Petula Clark, Tommy Tune, Roger Williams, Shirley Jones, and Bobby Vinton.
Dr. Collier received his Bachelor of Music from Florida State University; his Master of Music from Indiana University, where he was awarded a Performer’s Certificate; and his doctorate in percussion performance and electronic music from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Collier is a proud performing artist for Yamaha, Sabian Cymbals, Grover Pro Percussion, Innovative Percussion and Evans Drumheads. Dr. Collier also serves as Percussion Coordinator for both the Music for All Honor Band of America and the Concert Percussion Track at the Summer Symposium. In addition, he has served as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International and Bands of America.
