Chad Heiny

Chad Heiny (b. 1980) is a multifaceted freelance musician, composer, and educator based in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. He currently serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he oversees all aspects of the percussion program—including Applied Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, and the Percussion Methods course.

A versatile and regularly commissioned composer, Chad has created music for ensembles and performers across the globe. His works—which include world premieres at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and the 2022 Midwest Clinic—are published by both Tapspace Publications and C. Alan Publications. In 2021, Hamiruge: The LSU Percussion Group released an album of Chad’s music titled Beacons of Light – Percussion Music of Chad Heiny.

He is also a member of the percussion quartet Dead Resonance—an instrumental band of LSU alumni percussionists—who performed at PASIC 2018 and released their debut album Silence is Not a Transition in 2020.

Chad is a nationally acclaimed percussion and wind arranger for high school marching bands, whose work has consistently captivated students, staff, fans, and adjudicators alike. His notable accolades include a first-place finish in Class AA (and the award for High Music) with the Norwin High School Marching Band at the 2021 Bands of America Grand National Championships, and a third-place overall finish (also receiving High Music) with the Hebron High School Marching Band at the 2019 Grand Nationals. He is also a proud adjudicator for Winter Guard International.

Chad holds degrees from Louisiana State University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and ASCAP, and proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Majestic Percussion, and Remo Drumheads. He makes his home in West Leechburg, Pennsylvania, with his wife Nichole (an IUP alumna), their son Christopher, and their dog Keiko.

Chad Heiny’s Music

  • $16.00
    A percussive tour de force where all 6 performers multitask to take listeners on a journey through the Leake Street graffiti tunnel in London.
    • Duration: 5:20
    • Level: Advanced
    • Personnel: 6 players
  • $14.00
    A large ensemble work dedicated to introducing students to the concept of versatility by switching instruments throughout the piece.
    • Duration: 3:15
    • Level: Med-Easy
    • Personnel: 13 players
  • $15.00
    An introspective and serene work inspired by the summoning bell of the same name used for prayer and meditation.
    • Duration: 3:15
    • Level: Medium
    • Personnel: 10 players
  • $13.00
    A complex, colorful work for 11 percussionists and piano, Crossing the Threshold is a rich, musical adventure symbolizing “The Hero’s Journey.”
    • Duration: 5:15
    • Level: Med-Advanced
    • Personnel: 12 players
  • $16.00
    A 2-movement duet for marimba & vibraphone, this dynamic and virtuosic piece takes listeners on a captivating sonic journey inspired by new beginnings.
    • Duration: 4:30
    • Level: Medium
    • Personnel: 2 players
  • $12.00
    An adventurous journey for intermediate-level percussion ensemble, featuring the optional elements of improvisation, voice, steel pans, and live looping.
    • Duration: 5:15
    • Level: Medium
    • Personnel: 7-8 players
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