Vince Oliver is a graduate of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he studied percussion performance and composition. Immediately following graduation he toured with the cast of the Broadway show, Blast! as the featured marimba soloist for two years. Vince was also able to tour several summers in Japan as a featured percussionist in five different MEG/KTI productions: Blast 2005, Blast II MIX 2006, Blast (Broadway Version) 2007, Blast II MIX 2008, Blast (Tour Version) 2009.
As an educator, Vince served as Percussion Director at James Logan High School from 2003-2013. Under his consultation the JLHS Wind Ensembles performed at The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, WASBE, and the Edinburgh Music Festival. Additionally, the marching band won seven consecutive Western Band Association Championships, and the JLHS Percussion Ensembles made several WGI World Class Finals appearances and earned silver medal and gold medals in the Concert World Class.
As a composer, Mr. Oliver has had the privilege of writing for various ensembles throughout the world. His wind ensemble and orchestra compositions have been performed at The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Palau de Música in Barcelona. Press, a piece for string orchestra and electronics, was premiered at the 2014 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic; Press Play, a consortium for wind band and electronics, was performed at the 2017 Midwest Clinic. Vince’s piece, Lullaby for a Young Dreamer was selected as one of the Bandworld Top 100 pieces of 2019.
In 2017 and 2019, Vince had the honor of being musical director and co-arranger for a new Blast production in Japan featuring the music of Disney. Blast! The Music of Disney has been a very successful sequel to the original show, touring many of the prefectures and delighting audiences throughout the country.
Vince Oliver was the sound designer and music coordinator for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from 2014-2018. He currently arranges/composes and serves as production assistant to many pageantry ensembles throughout the world including: Avon High School, Blue Springs High School, Wando High School, Union High School, Vista Ridge High School, Round Rock High School, Paramount Winter Guard, and The Yokohama Inspires Drum and Bugle Corps.
Vince Oliver is an Innovative Percussion artist, and a member of ASCAP.