Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Music in Percussion Performance: Graduated 5/13/2001
Principal Teacher: William Moersch
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance: Graduated 1/15/2000
Principal Teachers: William Moersch, Thomas Siwe
Aspen Music School and Festival-Aspen, CO: Summer 2001
Principal Teachers: Thomas Stubbs, Douglas Howard
Performance Experience
Classical/Concert/Chamber:
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra-Jackson, MS: Section percussion (2/2007-Present).
Meridian Symphony-Meridian, MS: Section Percussion (5/2006-Present).
Altamura Summer Music Festival-Round Top, NY: Percussion. "La Traviata" (8/2005).
Prince William Symphony Orchestra and Manassas Ballet-Manassas, VA: Substitute Percussion. "Swan Lake" (6/2004).
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra-Fairfax, VA: Substitute Percussion (5/2004).
Catholic University Orchestra-Washington, D.C.: Substitute Percussion (2/2004, 11/2003, 11/2002).
Aspen Music Festival Orchestras-Aspen, CO: Principal percussion, Principal Timpani (Summer 2001).
Aspen Music Festival Percussion Ensemble-Aspen, CO (Summer 2001).
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Urbana, IL: Substitute
Timpanist, Substitute Percussionist (11/2000-Present).
The Prarie Ensemble, Urbana,IL: Timpanist, Principal Percussionist, and Traps Drummer (1/1998-10/2000).
LaFayette Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette, IN: Substitute Percussionist
(4/1998).
Volograd Symphony Orchestra (Russia)/U of I Symphony Orchestra:
Timpanist (4/2001).
U of I Wind Symphony: Principal Timpanist (Spring 1999).
U of I Symphony Orchestra: Principal Timpanist, Principal/Section
Percussionist (Fall 1996-Present).
U of I Graduate Percussion Quartet (Fall 2000).
U of I Percussion Ensemble (Fall 1995-Spring 1997, Fall 1998-Present).
U of I/U of Chicago-Rockefeller Chapel Bach Cantata Orchestra:
Timpanist (Spring 1999).
U of I Summer Festival Orchestra (Summer 1999).
U of I New Music Ensemble (Spring 1997).
U of I Symphonic Band II (Fall 1995-Spring 1996).
Jazz/Shows/Pop/World Music Drumset and Percussion:
JSU Faculty Jazz Combo (9/2006-Present).
New England Music Camp Faculty Jazz Band-Sydney, ME. Drums (7/2005)
Whirl-Alternative/Hard Rock band: NY, NY. Drums/Backing Vocals (9/2004-Present)
Blue Knight-Folk/Rock/World Music band: NY, NY. Drums and Percussion(11/2004-6/2005
Bel Aire-Top 40 Party Band-Drumset (8/2003-8/2004)
Plasmic Sky-Original Alternative/Rock Music-Drumset/Backing Vocals (1/2004-6/2004).
Vienna Community Theater-Vienna, VA: Evita-Drumset/Percussion (4/2004-5/2004).
The Maret School-Washington, D.C.: Les Miserables-Substitute Drumset (4/2003).
Damascus Road-Congas(Spring 2000-present).
Smiling Politely-Drumset, Percussion(1/1998-8/1998).
U of I Jazz Band I-Congas, Percussion(Fall 1996-Spring 1997).
U of I Summer Jazz Band-Congas, Percussion(Summer 1996)
I-PAN Steel Groove-Congas, Percussion (5/1996-6/1998).
U of I Steel Band-Double Tenor Pans(Fall 1995-Spring 1997).
Orchesta Estillo Chicago-Congas (4/1996-9/1996).
Drum Corps/Marching Band:
Magic of Orlando Drum and Bugle Corps: World Finalist
-Snare Drum(Summer 1994-Summer 1995).
U of I Marching Illini Drumline: Indoor Percussion Line
-Sideline Percussion(Fall 1996).
Solo Performance Experience:
Jackson State University, Jackson, MS: Department of Music Faculty Recital (4/3/2007).
Aspen Music Festival-Young Artist Concert: Performed Jacob Druckman's Reflections on the Nature of Water (7/18/2001).
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, at the University of Illinois
Urbana Champaign-2000 Debut Artist Recital: April 30, 2000.
University of Illinois School of Music-Master of Music Recital May 10, 2001.
University of Illinois School of Music-Senior Recital: December 4,
1999.
University of Illinois School of Music-Visiting Composer Concert, "The
works of Isao Matsushita"-Interwaves III for solo percussion: April 13, 1999.
University of Illinois School of Music-Junior Recital: May 2, 1998.
Freelance Work:
Jackson, MS (1/2006-Present).
New York, NY Metro area (9/2004-10/2005).
Washington, D.C./No. VA (6/2002-8/2004).
Nashville,TN (9/2001-5/2002).
Champiagn County, IL (5/1996-5/2001).
Teaching Experience:
University Faculty Positions
Instructor of Music (Percussion) / Assistant Band Director: Jackson State University-Jackson, MS (1/2006-Present). Duties include:
1. Percussion lessons for Bachelor of Music (Performance and Technology), Bachelor of Music Education (both Instrumental and Jazz emphasis), and non-music major students on scholarship with the band.
2. Assist with instruction, travel and performances by the “Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band” and percussion section, at football games, and other special appearances such as: the HONDA “Battle of the Bands”, Atlanta, GA ; Indianapolis Colts/New Orleans Saints NFL Preseason Game; and others.
3. Advising and recruitment of music majors and marching band members.
4. Direct the JSU Percussion Ensemble.
5. Teach Music Appreciation classes, Percussion Methods class.
6. Hosted annual Percussive Arts Society-Mississippi Chapter conference “Day of Percussion” 4/2006, and 3/2007.
7. Coach JSU Symphonic Bands and JSU Orchestra percussion sections.
8. Established and maintained percussion equipment and rehearsal facilities.
Adjunct Dance Faculty (Accompanist): Belhaven College- Jackson, MS (3/2006-Present). Duties include accompanying upper-level modern dance technique classes for dance majors, three days/week, through the School for the Arts.
Private Instruction
New England Music Camp-Sidney, ME: Percussion Faculy (6/2005-7/2005).
Substitute studio percussion teacher: Queens Music School (Flushing, NY), Westchester School of Music (Mamaroneck, NY) (11/2004-6/2005).
Personal Studio-Chanlilly, VA (7/2002-8/2004).
Oakland H.S.-Murfreesboro, TN: Private lessons (Fall 2001-Winter 2002).
E.A. Cox Middle School-Columbia, TN: Private lessons/Clinics (Fall 2001-Spring 2002).
Personal Studio/TCBC Conservatory-Urbana, IL: Private lessons (Fall
1997-Spring 2001).
Hoopeston Area Schools-Hoopeston, IL: Private lessons/Clinics (Spring
2000).
Mahomet-Seymour Schools-Mahomet, IL: Private lessons (Winter
1998-Winter 1999).
Percussion Ensemble Coaching:
New England Music Camp-Sidney, ME (6/2005-7/2005).
Mt.Vernon High School Percussion Ensemble-Alexandria, VA (10/2003-5/2004).
University of Illinois Percussion Ensemble: Freshman Quartet (Fall 2000).
Marching Percussion
Paso Robles H.S. Marching Band-Paso Robles, CA: Percussion Caption Head (8/2005)
Chantilly H.S.Marching Band-Chantilly, VA: Drumline instructor-Marching Band and Winter Drumline Instructor (8/2002-8/2004).
Thomas A. Edison H.S. Marching Band-Alexandria, VA: Drumline instructor (7/2002-10/2002).
Centreville H.S. Marching Band-Centreville, VA: Drumline instructor (8/2002-10/2002.
Hoopeston Area H.S. Marching Band-Hoopeston, IL: Drumline
instructor/arranger (5/2000-10/2000).
Urbana H.S. Marching Band-Urbana, IL: Drumline Instructor (7/1999)instructor/arranger (9/1997-11/1998).
Mahomet-Seymour H.S. Marching Band-Mahomet, IL: Drumline
instructor/arranger-Marching Band and Winter Druline (9/1997-11/1998).
Westville H.S. Marching Band-Westville, IL: Drumline
instructor/assistant band director (8/1997).
Warsaw Community H.S. Marching Band-Warsaw, IN: Drumline instructor
(8/1996).
Recordings Audio/Video:
Whirl-Recording in progress. Produced by Nikki Maoz, and Joe Hakim.
Plasmic Sky-Debut recording: July 2004-Drums.
"Owen Rockwell-Percussion": October 2001-solo percussion. Production and distribution the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, as part of the Debut Artist Series.
Johannah Rockwell: Demo CD, March 2002. Produced by Kevin McKendree. Nashville, TN.
Damascus Road self titled CD: May 2000-Congas. Distribution by Windmill Music.
Rudolf Haken " Concerto for 5-String Electric Violin," recorded by the
Praire Ensemble: September 11, 1998-Percussion. Distrubution by the
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Smiling Politely: Album, "The Last I Saw of Me": July 1998
-Drumset, Congas. Distribution by NeverNod Records, Boston, MA.
Drum Corps International CD and Video production of the 1994, and 1995
World Championships. Distribution by DCI.
Magic of Orlando 1994, and 1995 Show CDs. Distribution by Magic of
Orlando.
T.V./Radio/Internet Broacast Experience:
Altamura Summer Music Festival's Production of "La Traviata": Live Internet Broadcast, August 27, 2005.
Kennedy Center Opera House Rededication-Part of the Millenium Stage series Live/Archived Internet Broadcast, November 19, 2003.
NPR Performance Today-The Prairie Ensemble performing "Music for the
Theater." Recorded on Friday, February 12, 1999.
WILL Radio 90.9 FM Urbana-Champaign: The Prarie Ensemble. All
concerts from Februrary, 1998 through October, 2000.
1994 World Cup Soccer Opening Ceremonies-Orlando: International
Television Broadcast (Performed 6/1994 with Magic of Orlando).
1994 and 1995 DCI Summer Music Games: PBS National Television
Broadcast (Performed 8/1994, 8/1995 with Magic of Orlando).
Judging/Adjudication Experience:
District X Area Band Auditions: Alexandria, VA (12/13/2003)
Lebanon H.S. Marching Band Festival: Lebanon, TN
-Field Competition: Percussion Performance Adjudicator (10/6/2001)
Mahomet-Seymour Marching Band Festival: Mahomet, IL
-Field Competition: Percussion Performance Adjudicator (9/28/1998, 10/14/2000)
Newton H.S. Marching Band Festival: Newton, IL
-Field Competition: Percussion Performance Adjudicator (10/17/1998)
Affiliations:
Local 161-710 American Federation of Musicians (5/2003-3/2005).
Percussive Arts Society
(1991-2003).
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Professional Men's Music Fraternity
(1995-Present). Offices Held: Vice President (1996), Treasurer
(1996).
Awards, Scholarships, Honors:
Winner: 2000 Krannert Center Debut Artist competition-The Krannert
Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois (1/2000).
University of Illinois School of Music Edgard Varese Memorial
Percussion Division Award for 1999-2000 Academic year (5/2000).
Finalist: University of Illinois College of Fine and Applied Arts Kate
Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship for 1999-2000 Academic year.
University of Illinois School of Music-Geraldine B. Cook Scholarship for 1998-1999 Academic Year (5/1999).
Percussive Arts Society: 1998 and 2000 William F. Ludwig Jr. PASIC
Scholarship.
Dean's List: University of Illinois, College of Fine and Applied
Arts (Fall 1995, Fall 1998).
University of Illinois School of Music-Performance Tuition waiver
(Fall 1995-Fall 1999).
Music Jobs/Comitees:
New England Music Camp-Percussion Faculty. (6/2005-7/2005).
Aspen Music Festival and School-Resident Advisor. (Summer 2001)
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Graduate Assistant: Stage
Manager (Fall 2000-Spring 2001)
U of I College of Fine and Applied Arts, 2000 Faculty Awards Commitee
(Febuary 2000)
U of I School of Music, Student Advisory Commitee (to the Director:
Dr. James C. Scott) (Academic Years: 1997-1998, 1998-1999)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Music Library: Student
worker (8/1995-12/2000)
Additional Musical Instruction
Drum Set
Anthony Martucci (2/2004-Present)
Composition
Guy Garnett (Spring 2001).
Erik Lund (Fall 2000).
Percussion
Michael Bump (Fall 1999-Spring 2000).
Fredrick Fairchild (Spring 1996).
Peter Pollack (Fall 1995).
Gary Rockwell (1983-1995).
Piano
James Helton (Summer 2000).
Voice
Robert Goulet (Fall 1998-Spring 1999).
Meredith Woodend (Fall 1997-Spring 1998).
A performer of diverse musical styles, Owen delivers performaces with great energy, and musical interest. He was raised a family of accomplished musicians, where visual art, and writing were also cherished. He began playing drums at the age of six under the careful instruction of his father, Gary Rockwell, with whom he studied until enrolling at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While there, Owen studied with Thomas Siwe, and later with marimba virtuoso William Moersch, eventually earning both Bachelor and Masters degrees from that institution. In 2000 the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts presented Owen in their annual Debut Artist Recital, the highest honor for a University of Illinois music student. This represented Owen's first professional recital, and was followed by a recording project which produced a CD featuring musical selections from that recital. Owen has been featured on recordings by classical music composers, as well as rock/pop musicians, including Johannah Rockwell, his sister, singer-songwriter based in No.VA/Washington, D.C. area. Owen currently resides in Long Beach, CA, and is in demand as a performer, teacher, and clinician.
