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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee page
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
“Six Japanese Gardens” - Kaija Saariaho
“Silver Streetcar for the Orchestra” - Alvin Lucier
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift trailer
Raves:
USA-Canada Gold Medal Women’s Hockey Game 2026