Biography
- BM, percussion performance, Southern Methodist University
- MM, percussion performance, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Artist Diploma, Temple University, Boyer College of Music and Dance
As artistic director of the percussion program at Boyer, Phillip O'Banion has assembled a dynamic roster of faculty artists that include some of the most recognized performers and teachers in the country. Temple’s percussion program draws students from across the United States and abroad.
A versatile professional, O’Banion performs regularly with the Philadelphia Orchestra and other symphonic ensembles, plays for theater companies and new music groups, and has appeared as both performer and conductor on chamber music programs presented by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. He remains active as both recitalist and clinician, nationally and internationally, and is frequently engaged as a soloist with orchestras, wind ensembles, choruses, and percussion groups. Recent international engagements have included performances and workshops in Ontario, Canada and Patagonia, Argentina, and the South American premiere of Philippe Manoury’s ‘Le Livre des Claviers’ at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.
Dedicated to exploring the use of percussion in new music, O’Banion has already been a part of two notable premieres in 2017. A world premiere of Philadelphia composer Robert Capanna’s What I Know with the Network for New Music chamber ensemble, and then the U.S. premiere of James MacMillan’s Symphony No. 4 with the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Furthermore, over the last five years O’Banion has commissioned and premiered over thirty new works. As part of this creative process, O’Banion has collaborated closely with composers such as Adam Silverman, Marc Mellits, Alejandro Vinao, Gordon Stout, Ivan Trevino, Lane Harder, Patrick Long, Russell Hartenberger, Baljinder Sekhon, Cynthia Folio, and Bob Becker. Last April his ensemble gave the Philadelphia premiere of Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.
O’Banion’s discography includes work across multiple genres - symphonic, chamber, commercial, and solo. These performances can be heard on the Telarc, Gasparo, Bridge, Lyrichord, Zomba, and BCM+D labels. 2016 releases include Adam Silverman’s Carbon Paper and Nitrogen Ink for solo marimba and wind ensemble, and Digital Divide, his solo debut album featuring new works for percussion and electronics.
Professor O’Banion is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society, serving as co-chair of the Symphonic Committee and as Vice President for the Pennsylvania state chapter. He has appeared as clinician, conductor, and panel moderator at PASIC 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, numerous "Days of Percussion", and the 5th annual World Vibes Congress. O’Banion proudly endorses Pearl/Adams musical instruments, Sabian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and Grover Pro Percussion products.