Don Parker has been involved in total percussion playing in a variety of styles and genres. Over the years, Don has performed with artists such as Ellis Marsalis, Marchel Ivery, James Polk, Mark Whitfield, Ray Barretto, Oliver Lake, Buster Cooper, and Jeff Jarvis to name a few. He has served as an adjudicator and a guest conductor for many conference band and percussion clinics in South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri. He was a faculty member of the United States Percussion Camp held at Eastern Illinois University from 1988-99. Dr. Parker recently served as the host and clinician during the Missouri Day of Percussion 2002 at UM - St. Louis featuring drumset artist Ndugu Chancler and area clinicians/performers based on the theme "Percussion in the Chamber Setting".

Recently Don has appeared as a guest artist at the Augustana College Jazz Festival, The University of Nebraska at Omaha Jazz Festival, DePauw University, Greenville College, and the Austin Jazz and Arts Festival. Don's arrangements of traditional jazz standards for solo vibes and mallet ensemble have been recently performed at the University of New Mexico and on the South Dakota Day of Percussion. Don has performed with the modern American music group out of St. Louis, Synchronia, which received 2000 ASCAP/Chamber Music America Award for adventurous programming. Don currently performs contemporary and traditional chamber literature with his trumpet/percussion duo, Double Take, which has released a new self-titled CD through PL Productions (DT001). He also performs contemporary and standard jazz vibes and piano arrangements with the Haydon/Parker Duo, which has just released its first CD on the ACA Digital Recording Label entitled "My Foolish Heart" (ACA JM10004), and with the St. Louis Brass Band.

Don is currently on faculty at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina as Assistant Professor of Music where he teaches Music Theory, Jazz History, Percussion Ensemble and Private Lessons. He is also assisting with the drumline for the Marching Band. He regards his position as an opportunity to be a part of a growing program as well as develop a percussion program which is greatly needed. He has a great number of students who wish to be involved in the brand new program.

Prior to his appointment at Fayetteville State University, Don was the Director of Percussion and Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. He also held positions at Chadron State College (Nebraska) and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. At all of these institutions, he successfully wrote grants for cultural, equipment, and research projects through organizations such as the Nebraska Arts Council, NewBlom Foundation, the Title III Federal Program, and the City of St. Louis.

After completing his B.M. in Performance and Music Business from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, he completed his M.M. and a D.M.A. in Percussion Performance from the University of Texas in Austin. After the formal education, Don continues to pursue percussion studies with individuals such as Ndugu Chancler (USC) and Timothy Adams Jr. (Pittsburgh Symphony). Many of the activities Don has undertaken have been supported by his endorsements from Sabian Cymbals, Sonor Drums, Mike Balter Mallets, Calato Regal Tip Sticks, Remo World Percussion, LP Music Group, and Ross Mallet Instruments.