Butler Percussion Ensemble's Dedication Leads to Statewide Performance

Butler’s dedicated percussion ensemble received the honor of performing in the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) workshop. This professional showcase will take place in Century II’s Performing Arts and Conventions Center in Wichita on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Ensembles qualify for the workshop through a blind auditions process. Each group submits several recordings of their music to the workshop judges. The judges decide which ensembles should go to the workshop based on the content of each recording alone

 Kimberly Trujillo is co-director of the percussion ensemble.  She was impressed with the students' perseverance in practicing for the auditions recording.

“Approximately 20 one-hour long rehearsals took place, on top of the individual practice of each student and study during their private lesson,” said Trujillo.

 “It takes a lot of dedication to produce a recording that will be selected for such an honor.”

“I’ve been inspired by [the ensemble’s] work ethic, as I hope they are inspired by mine.”

Kim Trujillo, Co-Director of Butler'sPercussion Ensemble.                                                                                                                                                         (Photo credit Greg Patterson.)

Brett Martinez directs the ensemble with Trujillo.  His goal for the ensemble’s future keeps everyone on track for a successful performance.

“We’re keeping our eyes on what the next thing is that we need to be working on, [what] we need to improve.  And in the process, we should achieve excellence along the way,” said Martinez.

“If they [students] are working hard because I’m making them work harder... as soon as we take the pressure off, everything falls apart. If they are working hard for the other people that they are performing with, that’s sustainable.”

Emmanuel Trice plays drums and marimba in the                 Brett Martinez, Co-director of Butler's Percussion Ensemble. percussion ensemble.  He values working with other           (Photo Credit Josiah Rich).                                                students in the ensemble as well.

 “Percussion ensemble is a big family because we are always around each other,” said Trice.

Trice started learning drums at 2 and practiced daily throughout his entire childhood.  He is motivated to improve his percussion talent to encourage others.

 “God showed me through my hands and how I play that I can change people’s lives and change how people feel at the moment…It makes me more motivated at the time,” said Trice.

Trice says that this motivation allows him to push through a song, even if he makes a mistake during practice. Since he started the ensemble, Trice learned to write his mistakes down, read music proficiently, and to play entire pieces just from memory. These skills are necessary in the workshop performance.

Emanuel Trice has been playing drums since he was 2-years old.                                                                                       (Photo Credit Josiah Rich)