A
bout the Band Headliner
Spencer Martin is Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Idaho. He directs the Vandal Marching Band, Basketball Bands, percussion lessons, teaches instrumental music education classes, and served as the Associate Director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music for 7 years. Entering his 25th year of directing Percussion Studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, Spencer also taught Middle School and High School band in the Vallivue District outside of Boise, ID.
Of Basque decent, Spencer performs internationally as a founding member of the Basque-American musical group Amuma Says No. Leading to a tour of northern Spain and southern France, his ensemble was featured at Ellis Island in New York City and at both the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Spencer also teaches the ancient Basque percussion instrument Txalaparta, presenting for the American Folklore Society in 2009. He was later awarded the State of Idaho’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant.
On call with Crystal and Carnival Cruise Lines, Spencer has traveled to over 30 countries as a professional percussionist. As a jazz drummer, he has backed up many artists, including Claudio Roditi, Jamey Aebersold, Mark Levine, Jay Coble, John Harbaugh, Curtis Stigers, Lee Musiker, Donald O’Conner, John Davidson, and Maureen McGovern. He has also served as principal percussionist in the Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra and played pit percussion for Monte Python’s national touring show Spamalot in 2007.
Spencer holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Idaho. His percussion instructors include Dan Bukvich, Ronnie Bedford, John Baldwin, and James Harrison. He has served as a clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and Hawaii.
