Mandarins Ensemble Coordinator, Benjamin Pyles, Joins Mapex Marching Artist Roster

Benjamin Pyles, one of Texas’s premier percussion educators, is set to make his mark as the newest addition to the Mapex Marching artist roster. With an illustrious career and current roles at the University of Texas at San Antonio, UTSA Indoor, The Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, and Monarch Independent Percussion, Pyles stands as a trendsetter in the marching arts community.

Pyles is the current Ensemble Coordinator and Battery Designer for Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, a fan-favorite on any field they step on, continually pushing boundaries each year. According to Pyles, that tendency to push the envelope is something that he has in common with the Mapex team. “Along with the incredible instruments they offer, the people behind the products are some of the best in the activity. They’re constantly searching for ways to improve their products and push what is possible in the marching percussion activity,” he says.

In addition to his work with The Mandarins and University of Texas at San Antonio, Pyles holds key education positions as the battery instructor at Ronald Reagan High School and Music Designer for Monarch Independent Percussion, further solidifying his influence and impact on the next generation of percussionists.

With over two decades of experience as a performer, designer, and instructor, Pyles has left an indelible mark on the drum corps world in his time with renowned groups such as Glassmen, Bluecoats, Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta, and the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps.

That wealth of experience ultimately led him to Mapex as the perfect fit for all his marching drum needs. “All of the Mapex drums have such a unique characteristic sound,” says Pyles. “Pair that with the entire catalog of options available and the combinations become almost limitless.”

For more information about Benjamin Pyles and his contributions, please visit: https://www.mapexdrums.com/us/artists/benjamin-pyles