TCU’s Percussion Studio is one of three university ensembles to perform at this year’s Percussive Arts Society International Convention.

University ensembles can only be selected every three years. The last time the Horned Frogs played was in 2022 — three years ago. Hezan Daroona, a senior music education major, was a part of that ensemble.

“I didn’t play on a lot of the pieces,” Daroona said. “I got to watch all my friends play; that only motivated me to get here now.” 

He said this year’s seniors were aiming for an invite to the convention, which is set for Nov. 12-15 in Indianapolis.

“My whole class was like, when we’re seniors, we have the chance,” Daroona said. “We were kind of nervous coming into this year if we were going to make it, but now, we have it’s what we’ve always wanted.”

Haley Bruns, a junior music education major, hasn’t performed with the university ensemble yet. Performing at PASIC is very special to her since the Percussion Studio is like a second family, Bruns said.

“I’m looking forward to creating great music with a great group of people,” Bruns said. “Part of the excitement of going to PASIC is we prepare extra hard on pieces to perform them in front of thousands.” 

She said being able to perform on a national level is the best part for her. 

“The journey is the best part because we stay so late for rehearsals, and we spend so many hours working on the pieces, and it’s a lot of bonding,” Bruns said. “Making music with my friends is the best part of all of this.”  

Representing TCU on a national stage is something that means a lot to her. 

“I’m so excited to show so many people what we do, like the level of detail we put into things,” Bruns said. “TCU is such a special place, especially for percussion, and I truly think that everyone should get to experience even a little spotlight of what we do.”