Composer and Percussionist Jeffrey Peyton has written works on commission for symphony orchestra, symphonic band, solo percussion, electronic media, and mixed chamber ensembles. His concert works have been performed throughout the United States, including premieres at the Percussion Arts Society International Convention, with international premieres in Taiwan, Sweden, Denmark, China, Belgium, Germany, and Mexico, among others. Hailed as a performer of “brilliant artistry and dazzling virtuosity,” and as "a composer to be reckoned with," Jeffrey Peyton consistently demonstrates his passion for the arts in his diverse roles as a composer, percussionist, conductor, educator and advocate.

Mr. Peyton's unique compositional voice springs from his twenty years of experience as a percussionist and conductor. He received his undergraduate degree from George Fox University, and holds a Masters Degree in performance from the Juilliard School in New York, where he was a full scholarship student of Roland Kohloff and Elden "Buster" Bailey of the New York Philharmonic. During his five years of Doctoral Studies at the University of Oregon School of Music, Mr. Peyton was a composer with Future Music Oregon. His composition teachers include Jeffrey Stolet and Bryan Johanson.

His compositions can be heard on recordings by the Equal Temperament Percussion Duo on the Eroica label, and the Third Angle Percussion Quartet on the Gagliano label.

Mr. Peyton has extensive performance experience as an orchestral percussionist, chamber musician, and conductor throughout the Pacific Northwest, including chamber music appearances at Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, and his critically acclaimed solo recital at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. His performances can be heard on the Delos, New World, Hannsler, Gagliano, New Albion and Koch labels.  Mr. Peyton has held the position of Principal Percussion with the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach, Peter Britt, and Cascade Festival orchestras, and Principal Timpanist of the Portland Opera, Oregon Coast, and Oregon Ballet orchestras. He has also appeared regularly with Chamber Music Northwest. Mr. Peyton currently performs regularly as percussionist and timpanist with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and the Oregon Ballet Theatre orchestras.

From 1994-2000, Mr. Peyton served as Artistic Director and conductor of the Third Angle New Music Ensemble in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation’s foremost contemporary chamber music ensembles. Under his leadership, Third Angle experienced explosive growth, receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim for its bold and innovative programming, seven highly successful commercial recordings, and its tireless efforts to promote the creation and performance of American music of the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

Currently instructor of percussion and electronic music at Pacific University, Mr. Peyton has been active in arts education since 1980. His students have been accepted for advanced study at the Juilliard School, Eastman, Peabody Conservatory, University of Michigan, and many other prestigious Schools of Music. He served as President of the Oregon Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society from 1994-96.

A former professional artistic administrator, Mr. Peyton recently returned to Oregon after serving as Vice President of Artistic Operations with the acclaimed Pacific Symphony in Orange County, CA. He has held similar positions with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Ballet Orchestra, Cascade Music Festival, Peter Britt Festival, and the Portland Symphonic Choir.

Date of birth September 27, 1962.