Michael C. Thursby
Director of Athletic Bands, Percussion
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Michael C. Thursby is the Director of Athletic Bands and Percussion at the Minnesota State University, Mankato where he teaches courses in percussion, music education/theory, assists with the MSU Instrumental ensembles, and is Director of the Maverick Athletic Bands.

From 2010-2013, Thursby taught in Northern Minnesota, where he directed the marching programs, conducted concert ensembles, led the percussion program, and taught a variety of other music courses. Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he spent much of his time teaching in Iowa and Wisconsin. In the realm of marching arts, Professor Thursby has worked as a percussion instructor, arranger, and clinician throughout the Midwest, working with the "Shadow Armada" marching band from Oregon, Wisconsin and directing the percussion sections for the University of Iowa "Hawkeye Marching Band," and the UNI "Panther Marching Band." He also spent time marching in Drum Corps International with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps and the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.  He currently serves as a percussion arranger and music consultant for the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corps out of St. Peter, MN.

Thursby has served as an adjudicator for the Minnesota Percussion Association and in several other circuits throughout the Midwest. He endorses and performs with Mapex and Majestic Percussion equipment, Salyers Percussion, Evans drumheads, and Zildjian cymbals.

Thursby's formal training included undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa where he earned his BM in Percussion Performance and Music Education. In 2010, he earned the Master of Music degree from University of Northern Iowa. His primary conducting teachers were Dr. Myron Welch, Dr. Ronald Johnson, and Dr. Rebecca Burkhardt. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Minnesota Band Directors Association, Minnesota Music Educators Association, and the Percussive Arts Society.