Alan Shinn’s work as an educator and performer has spanned over 30 years, with the majority of those years spent teaching at Texas Tech University. Currently serving as Principal Timpanist with the Santa Fe Pro Musica and Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Shinn has always maintained an active performing schedule providing students with a ‘working musician role model.’



Biography:

Alan D. Shinn is Professor of Percussion Studies, Chair of Winds and Percussion, and Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies at Texas Tech University. From 1984 to 2005, he also served as Director of Jazz Studies.



Prior to coming to Texas Tech in 1982 as Director of Percussion Studies, Alan Shinn served as Instructor of Percussion and Jazz at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Over ninety percussion students have graduated with music degrees at TTU since 1982 and are enjoying careers in education (all levels) and performance as well as music business and industry.



Alan Shinn is Principal Timpanist with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Roswell Symphony and has performed a number of times with the chamber orchestras of Santa Fe Pro Musica and 20th Century Unlimited. Alan Shinn is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the Southwest.



In 2012 Alan Shinn was awarded the Percussive Arts Society Lifetime Achievement Award in Education.