Lawless’s previous faculty appointments include those at Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, and West Georgia State University. The Lanier Concert Percussion Ensemble performed at the 2016 Lassiter Percussion Symposium and the Lanier Symphonic Winds will perform at the 2017 Kennesaw State University Concert Band Invitational. Lawless’s teachers include Tom Float, Jack Bell, Cloyd Duff, Paul Yancich, Bill Wilder, and Mark Yancich.
In 2004 the Atlanta Percussion Trio performed as concerto soloists with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in “The Glory and the Grandeur” by Russell Peck.Ī graduate of Georgia State University, Mr. Playing in the Philharmonic is a great way for KSU students to continue enjoying musical experiences throughout their college years. With the MSU Drumline, he has presented performances at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and wherever the Spartans play football, including the Rose Bowl in 2014. Lawless performs more than 600 school concerts a year for audiences totaling 300,000 annually. KSU Philharmonic is an orchestra for string players from across the university, including players who are non-music majors or music majors wishing to perform on a secondary string instrument. Weber heads the percussion faculty for the summer Performing Arts Camp at Michigan State University.
Lawless has performed and recorded as an extra with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra while maintaining a thriving freelance career as studio and pit percussionist.A founding member of the Atlanta Percussion Trio, Mr. Lawless was appointed as Principal Timpanist with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra in 1986. Principal Timpanist of the Atlanta Opera since 1979, Mr. John Lawless became Director of Percussion Studies at Kennesaw State University in 2004.