Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 484 - Alex Wier

Episode 484 - Alex Wier Pete's Percussion Podcast University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Percussion Professor Alex Wier stops by to talk about his job at UWM, Present Music, Chamber Music Playing, and the culture of the arts in Milwaukee (03:10), growing up in St. Louis and Phoenix, his musical beginnings, marching band, and playing video games (24:50), attending the University of Arizona for undergrad (38:35), going to Northwestern University (IL) for his master’s and taking a break from school after the degree (49:40), getting his doctorate from Arizona State (01:04:45), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on developing young percussionists, cooking for children, great movies, TV shows, and books, his varied sports fandoms, and unusual performance experiences (01:14:45).Finishing with a Rave on the best of the 2026 Winter Olympics (01:39:15).Alex Wier Links:Alex Wier’s websiteAlex Wier’s University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pagePresent MusicPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Norman Weinberg in 2017She-e Wu in 2025Andy Miller in 2026Steve Hemphill in 2020Jeff Hewitt in 2021Josh Armstrong in 2018Mike Sammons in 2022Other Links:“Threads” - Paul Lansky“Timber” - Michael GordonJB SmithSimone Mancuso“Radio Rewrite” - Steve ReichJack ForbesGary CookJames RossMike VercelliJonathan LattaWes Hawkins“Six Japanese Gardens” - Kaija Saariaho“Silver Streetcar for the Orchestra” - Alvin Lucier“Dressur” - Mauricio KagelInterstellar trailerInception trailerThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift trailerEagle Eye trailerKurt VonnegutPackers-Bears 2025 Wild CardArrested Development Season 1I’m Making a Giant SaladSeverance Season 1Raves:USA-Canada Gold Medal Women’s Hockey Game 2026USA-Canada Gold Medal Men’s Hockey Game 2026Alysa Liu’s Gold Medal Free Skate