Royse City High School’s Percussion Program wins the prestigious Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Percussion Ensemble Contest

For the first time in school history, the Royse City Percussion Program has won the PAS International Percussion Ensemble Contest, earning the ensemble the opportunity to perform at the world’s largest percussion event and convention - PASIC - in Indianapolis, IN in November.

Led by Directors Connor Pickle and Jordan Ferguson, the Royse City Percussion program submitted a series of unedited ensemble performance recordings, filmed in front of a live audience, for submission into the contest, which fields entries from percussion ensembles across the US and internationally. This year, the competition was more competitive than ever before. The Percussive Arts Society received 22 submissions—the largest field of applicants in the history of the competition.

The PAS IPEC is considered the pinnacle of percussion ensemble performance and selects only three winners from the high school category each year. This year, Royse City won first place. “Our students were chosen because they demonstrated a level of musicianship, artistry, discipline, and excellence that stood out among these ensembles,” stated Connor Pickle, Director of Percussion for Royse City ISD.

The Royse City Percussion ensemble will travel to Indianapolis in November and will perform at PASIC on November 13, 2026.