Michael Varner   draws from 30 years experience as a performer presenting repertoire from every musical style including Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, and World beat.  He brings to each style of music an unequalled sensitivity and exuberance. Utilizing the wide range of musical colors and sounds from the percussive palette he has established a national reputation for solo recitals as well as guest appearances with Orchestras, Wind Ensembles and Percussion Ensembles.  He is currently preparing video and podcasts featuring time-honored and newly commissioned works for Marimba.

Doctor Varner recently presented two series of lecture/recital tours throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Dr. Varner's performances included a series on Japanese marimba compositions, and a demonstration of the development of solo marimba literature in the late 20th century. Excerpts from Dr. Varner's tour performances can be viewed and listened to by podcast at the Vic Firth Website. Dr. Varner has just returned from taking a UTArlington "Study-Abroad" class to study music and culture in Ghana africa.

Widely in demand as an educator and clinician he has been invited to give presentations throughout the United States, Japan and Europe focusing on developing both precision technique and musical expression.

Most recently he presented clinics for the Connecticut State Music Educators Convention and the European Music Educators Convention held in Frankfurt, Germany.  In previous years he has been featured at the Music Educators National Convention and state music education conventions for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, Indiana, and West Virginia. 

Dr. Varner continues his interest in composition accepting from numerous high school and college programs across the United States. His recitals often feature his own unique compositions for which he has gained national and international recognition. Recently Dr. Varner newest compositions "Journey to Beyond" is an extensive piece for percusion ensemble and soloist performing multiple percussion, Concert Tambourine, African Djembe, and contemporary marching Quints. Dr. Varner's composition "Sorcery!" has been featured on the Vic Firth Website and next month his composition "Tala" based on the music of India will be featured.

Dr. Varner holds performance degrees from the University of North Texas and University of Michigan, with an education degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  He is currently a member of the faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington and also the UTA honors college.   He is an  artist endorsee for Vic Firth Mallets, Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Remo world instruments and drumheads
 
  Dr. Varner's Dissertation