Russell Wharton is a Percussion Instructor and Arranger for Keller High School Cluster in Keller, TX, and a Bass Drum Instructor for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Russell graduated from Texas Christian University in 2013 with a degree in Music Education. During his time at TCU, he studied with Dr. Brian West, Joey Carter, Dave Hall, Jeff Hodge, and Richard Gipson. Notable performances with TCU include such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, New York’s Merkin Hall, a PASIC showcase concert in 2011. Russell was an instructor and a drill writer for the 2012 PASIC Champion Drumline. He also played drums on the TCU Jazz Ensemble album Midnight Voyage, and will appear on the upcoming album from the TCU Percussion Orchestra.
Russell was a member of The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps bass drum line from 2008 to 2012, where he studied with Michael McIntosh, Dr. Brian Tinkel, Jim Casella, and Jim Ancona. He served as a percussion section leader in 2012, and helped the 2011 percussion section capture the Fred Sanford Award for High Percussion. Following his age-out, Russell was a bass drum technician for the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps in 2013 and 2014. For the 2015 season, he will be teaching at The Cavaliers.
He also works as a freelance composer, arranger, clinician, and performer in many capacities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.