Mapex has officially announced that percussion educator and performer Bill Bachman has joined their artist roster. Known for his work across the drum corps world, rock performance, and percussion instruction, Bachman brings decades of experience to the partnership, which will also involve Majestic Percussion under the same umbrella.
Bachman’s career has taken him across several lanes of drumming. He studied at Berklee College of Music and also spent time at the University of North Texas, both institutions known for their strong percussion programs. Over the years, he’s been involved with high-profile drumlines like the Cadets, Bluecoats, and Carolina Crown, and has worked extensively with the University of North Texas drumline. His teaching resume includes more than just marching — it stretches into private instruction, clinics, and international performances that have reached nearly every continent.
In Texas, he currently teaches at both Marcus High School and Flower Mound High School, two standout programs with national visibility. Marcus was recently selected as a 2025 TMEA performing ensemble, while Flower Mound marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024. Beyond the classroom, Bachman runs a global online teaching platform. His DrumWorkout.com lessons are used by students from all over, and the format has allowed him to expand the reach of his structured approach to hand technique and rudiments.
Joining Mapex seemed like a natural step. Bachman has worked with many gear brands over the years, but this collaboration reflects a deeper alignment with his current goals. While he hasn’t made a big public announcement beyond a few words of appreciation, the sentiment is clear — he’s looking forward to using Mapex and Majestic drums both in the studio and during clinics, as well as integrating them into the educational content he continues to produce.
From Mapex’s side, there’s mutual enthusiasm. Marching Arts Artist Relations Manager John Harvill, who’s known Bachman personally for many years, described the move as more than just a professional link — it’s also about long-standing respect and shared goals. Nic Milliner, the brand manager, added that Bachman’s influence goes far beyond marching. His ability to shape technique and instruction, whether in a drum corps setting or one-on-one, makes him a strong fit for what Mapex is building around education and performance.
Performance-wise, Bachman remains active. He drums for Herd of Instinct and Spoke of Shadows, and has recorded or toured with artists like Neal Morse, Trey Gunn, Colin Edwin, Adam Holzman, and Gerald Albright. Locally, he continues to gig regularly. He also endorses several other gear brands, including Vic Firth, Zildjian, Remo, and InEarz.
The partnership with Mapex won’t just be about product alignment. It points toward a shared interest in accessible, high-quality percussion instruction — something Bachman has spent years developing, one student and one stroke at a time.