ABOUT

“I can’t express to you how excited [we] were every time his emails came in with a new track or pitch. He brought nothing short of genius and intricate thoughtfulness into his work…” - Jared Jay Mason

“John Tadlock's score is accomplished and perfectly fits and enhances the events on the screen.” - Ginger Nuts of Horror

“Like Disney magic…” - Stephen Karukas (composer/percussionist/computer scientist)

Originally from Longview, TX, John Tadlock (b. 1993) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion from Stephen F. Austin State University, a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from Indiana University, and a Performer’s Diploma from the Mannes School of Music. He is currently based in New York City, working as a freelance percussionist and composer.

As a percussionist, John has performed in several eclectic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day and London New Years Day Parades, and professional recording sessions at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. In his first year at SFA he was named a winner of the 2012 Concerto/Aria Competition, in 2017 he received the SFA President’s Award for Most Outstanding Recital of the Year, and in 2023 he received Honorable Mention at the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition.

John has performed as a soloist with several groups including the East Texas Symphonic Band, the Stephen F. Austin State University Orchestra, and the Gettysburg College Wind Ensemble in 2024. He has performed at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy, and at several Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, including as a member of the first PASIC All-Star Percussion Ensemble in 2015, and with Indiana University’s IPEC showcase concert in 2018. While in Indiana, John performed in several musical theater productions at the Bloomington Playwrights Project, and performed as a section percussionist with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Richmond Symphony.

As a composer, John’s musical influences come from a variety of places, including rock, jazz, classical, film scores, and video game soundtracks, and he has had his percussion works played all over the country, including in the percussion ensemble showcase at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Aside from percussion music, John has written four original albums varying in scope from full orchestra and chamber to digital fusion, as well as a feature film score, and a short film score.

John is an Artist/Endorser for Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and he is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).