Will Alderman

Will Alderman (b. 1990) currently serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion & Music Theory at Northwest Missouri State University. Previously, he has served as an instructor at Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, Washington & Lee University, Kalamazoo College, and as a graduate teaching assistant at James Madison University.

As a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and composer, Will has performed in a variety of mediums worldwide. Currently, he performs with his quartet, Without Borders, which has recorded and released its very own marimba quartet transcription of Béla Bartok’s String Quartet No. 5. The ensemble has toured with the work; performing in Taiwan, Japan, and throughout the United States. Without Borders has premiered several of their own works including Will’s new composition, Farewell to Shadowlands, for percussion ensemble and acoustic guitar. In addition to his quartet, Will has had the privilege of performing with several world-renowned artists such as Gordon Stout, Valerie Naranjo, and Gif Howarth. An avid performer, Will was awarded 2nd Place in the Open-Duo Division of the 2022 Great Plains Marimba Competition and 1st Place in the 2023 NABBA Percussion Ensemble Competition.

Will was the drummer for the rock band, Capt. Cat, who released their debut album, Crystal Sound System, in the summer of 2019. Will is the frontman and songwriter for the folk duo, The 42nd Parallel, who released their debut EP, Michigan Winter, in the fall of 2016.

Composing and arranging music of many styles and instrumentations, Will values expressing creativity through writing. He has served as the percussion arranger for over a dozen marching programs throughout the United States including the Portage Central Marching Band, Genesis Percussion, and the Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band. He has arranged and composed several solo and ensemble works for percussion with many more on the way. Most recently, Will has composed and released a new book of intermediate-advanced marimba etudes titled, "Etudes for Marimba: Four New Works for the Advancing Marimbist.” Will has released an EP of the works along with video performances.

Will received his D.M.A. in Music Performance and Pedagogy from James Madison University, M.M. in Music Performance from Ithaca College, and B.M. in Music Performance from Western Michigan University. Will is a member of the Percussive Arts Society.

Will is a proud Artist Endorser of Innovative Percussion products.

Find a more detailed version of Will’s experience in his curriculum vitae here: