"The author's perspective as a student, and later pedagogue, of the percussion program pioneered at the University of Illinois lends the work a humble authority that ultimately makes for a compelling account of recent percussion history." --Music Educators Journal

"Recommended." --Choice

«”This book makes it possible for everyone to benefit from Professor Siwe's decades of research concerning the history of percussion in the twentieth-century and the music composed by many of that century’s most important composers. Percussion music holds a special place in the twentieth century, and its story is told here by one of the twentieth century's most knowledgeable percussion practitioners and pedagogues. Thomas Siwe has written an indispensable book, drawn from a lifetime of experience and research. Everyone interested in the essential role percussion played the last century should read this book!”—Christopher Shultis, author of Silencing the Sounded Self: John Cage and the American Experimental Tradition»

«”Simply stated, this is a singular contribution detailing the history of percussion literature in the twentieth century made by one of the most knowledgeable percussion educators who was witness to many of the composers and compositions he discusses.”—Kathleen Kastner, Wheaton College Conservatory of Music»