Jensen L. Thomassie (b. 2001) is a percussionist, educator, and internationally performed composer based in Columbia, South Carolina. Thomassie is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of South Carolina under the study of Scott Herring where he also serves as the Carolina Band Drumline Graduate Assistant. Thomassie holds a Bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance and Music Composition from Furman University where he studied percussion under Omar Carmenates and Justin Watt and composition under Mark Kilstofte, Peter B. Kay, and Jay Bocook.
As a composer, Thomassie’s catalog includes over 30 works for percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, orchestra, clarinet quartet, brass quintet, voice, string quartet, electronics, and more. His music has been performed across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, and he is regularly commissioned by artists and ensembles including What Is Noise new music ensemble, who will be performing his work Wander for pierrot ensemble at the Lincoln Center in May of 2025.
As a performer, Thomassie has performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention three times: first with the Furman University Percussion Ensemble in the new music research session in 2019, with Furman again in 2022 performing as one of the winners of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition, and finally in 2024 as a member of the University of South Carolina Percussion Ensemble as a winner of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition again. Thomassie regularly performs as a section percussionist with the Poinsett Wind Symphony and has substituted with the Aiken Symphony.
An active member of the pageantry arts, Thomassie has marched with Music City Drum Corps, the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, the Furman University Paladin Regiment, and the New Orleans Saints Drumline, where he also served as a music writer and arranger. Thomassie has previously served as Director of Percussion at J.L. Mann High School, where he won a state championship in CWEA Percussion Scholastic Novice with the J.L. Mann Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Thomassie also freelances as a percussion arranger and sound designer for multiple programs in the Southeast, including Blue Ridge H.S., Eastside H.S., Greer H.S., Hillcrest H.S., J.L. Mann H.S., Liberty H.S., Northgate H.S., and Woodmont H.S.
As a composer, Thomassie’s catalog includes over 30 works for percussion ensemble, wind ensemble, orchestra, clarinet quartet, brass quintet, voice, string quartet, electronics, and more. His music has been performed across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, and he is regularly commissioned by artists and ensembles including What Is Noise new music ensemble, who will be performing his work Wander for pierrot ensemble at the Lincoln Center in May of 2025.
As a performer, Thomassie has performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention three times: first with the Furman University Percussion Ensemble in the new music research session in 2019, with Furman again in 2022 performing as one of the winners of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition, and finally in 2024 as a member of the University of South Carolina Percussion Ensemble as a winner of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition again. Thomassie regularly performs as a section percussionist with the Poinsett Wind Symphony and has substituted with the Aiken Symphony.
An active member of the pageantry arts, Thomassie has marched with Music City Drum Corps, the Louisiana Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, the Furman University Paladin Regiment, and the New Orleans Saints Drumline, where he also served as a music writer and arranger. Thomassie has previously served as Director of Percussion at J.L. Mann High School, where he won a state championship in CWEA Percussion Scholastic Novice with the J.L. Mann Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Thomassie also freelances as a percussion arranger and sound designer for multiple programs in the Southeast, including Blue Ridge H.S., Eastside H.S., Greer H.S., Hillcrest H.S., J.L. Mann H.S., Liberty H.S., Northgate H.S., and Woodmont H.S.