About Randall Eyles

Randall Eyles has a long multifaceted career as a performer and educator. David Maslanka’s “Concerto for Marimba and Band” and Floyd Werle’s “Golden Age of the Xylophone” were written specifically for him. Both pieces were commissioned and premiered by the USAF Band. After 23 years of performing solos throughout the US, Asia and Europe, Chief Eyles retired to accept the position of PAS Executive Director in 1996. From 1987-2001 Dr. Eyles served on the PAS Executive Committee in various positions. Prior to 1987 he served on the PAS Board of Directors and was President of the VA/DC PAS Chapter for many years. In 1986 Randy Eyles and Gar Whaley hosted PASIC 86, a spectacular six-day convention including four evenings in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

His publications include "Golden Age of the Xylophone", "Freckles Rag", "Mallets for Young Beginners", "Raggedy Ragtime Rags", "Green Xylophone Rags", and soon to be released “Scales for Keyboard Percussion”.

Shortly after his first pay gig on drum set (age 12), he started teaching his first drum student. Five years later while still in high school he was teaching more than 20 students and playing drum set gigs every weekend. More than sixty years later he still enjoys performing and teaching private students. He is currently Principal Percussion with the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and Co-Principal Percussion with the Capital Wind Symphony.