The Percussive Arts Society (PAS) is an international music service organization promoting percussion education, research, performance and appreciation. Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ...

Established in 1961 as a non-profit, music service organization, PAS is the world's largest percussion organization and is a central source for information and networking for percussionists and drummers of all ages. With over 8,000 members (as of 2005), PAS has chapters located in each of the United States (including Puerto Rico), and 23 chapters in 19 other countries. 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... A drummer is a musician who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ...

PAS publishes two bi-monthly publications, Percussive Notes and Percussion News, and a website that contains publication archives, research databases, a conference center, museum tour and other features. PAS is headquartered in Lawton, Oklahoma, and includes the Percussive Arts Museum and Library, which contains rare and unusual percussion instruments and scores. Lawton is a city located in Comanche County, Oklahoma. ...

The Percussive Arts Society also hosts the annual PASIC convention in a different city each year. PASIC 2005 will be in Columbus, OH. PASIC 2006 will be in Austin, TX. The convention features four days of clinics, concerts, competitions and mock auditions, and other percussion events.

The Percussive Arts Society is well known among percussionists for the PAS International Drum Rudiments, a set of basic drum beats and exercises that is used by percussion educators. These rudiments can be found in most percussion music books and a copy is available for free download from the PAS web site. A general term for a foundational drum pattern used as an exercise. ...

External links

• Official PAS website
• Percussive Arts Museum and Library (hosted by PAS)
• Official PASIC website