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Aaron Ragsdale, professor of percussion and assistant director of bands in the South ��ֱ���� State University School of Performing Arts, recently returned to his roots for a meaningful performance honoring his father, Chalon Ragsdale, on his 50th work anniversary at the University of Arkansas.

On April 22, Aaron performed alongside the University of Arkansas Wind Ensemble at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center in Fayetteville. The concert celebrated Chalon’s remarkable five-decade career as a professor of percussion and leader in the Razorback music community.

The event included a special moment of collaboration between Aaron; his sister, Lynn Francis, and world-renowned percussionist She-e Wu, associate professor of percussion at Northwestern University. The quartet performed Chalon’s arrangement of Percy Grainger’s “Molly on the Shore” for marimba soloists and wind band. 

“She-e is not only a highly regarded marimba and percussion soloist, but she was also my teacher at Rutgers University while I was pursuing my Doctor of Musical Arts,” Aaron shared.

Another highlight of the evening was the premiere of a new concerto composed by Larry MacTaggart, a former student of Chalon’s who studied under him from 1977 to 1981. MacTaggart went on to become the staff arranger and composer for several U.S. Air Force bands, including the Heartland of America Band in Omaha and the prestigious United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C.

“In July, my dad woke up to an email from Larry saying he had written a concerto in honor of Dad’s 50th year at the University of Arkansas,” Aaron recalled. 

In the email, MacTaggart emphasized the impact Chalon had on him personally and professionally, saying, “I count myself most fortunate to be among the many lives you touched.”

By August, plans were underway to bring the piece to life. Chalon reached out to Aaron and to Chris Knighten, director of bands at the University of Arkansas, to see if the new work could be programmed and if Aaron could perform. After a few phone calls and a bit of calendar coordination, everything aligned for an April concert.

“There were a wide range of emotions associated with this performance,” Aaron said. “Not only was I there as a son celebrating this milestone with my father, but also as a proud alum performing in front of former teachers and alumni. It was exciting, humbling and — I'll admit — a little stressful!”

Music runs deep in the Ragsdale family. Aaron’s grandmother was a classically trained cellist who played professionally, including with the Columbus Symphony. His uncle, David Ragsdale, studied violin at the University of Tulsa and the University of North Texas before embarking on a touring career with Louise Mandrell and the rock band Kansas. He also arranged strings for The Smashing Pumpkins' “Siamese Dream” album.

Both Aaron’s parents played in the high school band and again at Auburn University. All his siblings grew up taking piano lessons beginning around kindergarten.

“Often when people ask how I chose percussion as my instrument, I respond with some version of the question, ‘Does a fish choose to be wet?’" Aaron said. “Music in general, and percussion music specifically, was all around us growing up, so it was hard not to have a love of, or certainly an appreciation of, music.”

Chalon Ragsdale has spent much of his professional life at the University of Arkansas, where he served as timpanist for the North Arkansas Symphony from 1975 through 2008. He directed the Razorback Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble during his tenure. A recognized authority on Percy Grainger, he is one of a select few worldwide to receive the Grainger Medallion from the International Percy Grainger Society for his work preserving the composer’s legacy.

Reflecting on his father’s influence, Aaron explained: “I’ve been very fortunate to have terrific mentors all the way through my educational path, but obviously none have been as ever-present as the one that also lived in my house. To see the way he led his program with honesty, integrity, empathy and authenticity has been the best model I could hope for while I’ve been leading the percussion area here at SDSU. I can only hope to have the kind of lasting impact on our students and our community that he has had with the students and campus community at the University of Arkansas.”

He concluded, “It was a humbling experience to perform with the bands at the University of Arkansas, to perform alongside two teachers and my sister and to perform for an enthusiastic audience made up of so many friends and alumni. Truly the most memorable performance of my career so far, and a great reminder that when you focus on students, on people and lead with kindness, that we can build supportive, lasting impactful communities. I’m definitely bringing a rejuvenated spirit back with me.”