This Summer Do Something Special

Pearl is a world-wide leader in drum and percussion instrument manufacturing. Our internship program provides a wide range of opportunities for students to gain insight into the marketing and distribution of percussion instruments in the U.S. Intern placement is within Pearl’s Marketing department with emphasis placed on Drumset, Marching Percussion, Concert Percussion and Hand Percussion product lines. Each summer a limited number of places for internships are available.

To take part in the program, we look for the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at a college or university both at the time of application and during the internship
• Preferred fields of study but not limited to: Marketing, Advertising, Music Business, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Media
• A minimum of 20 years of age
• Relocate to Nashville, TN for the term of the internship
• This is an unpaid internship

Internship Application Dates

To be considered for Summer 2012 Internship, applications are currently being accepted. To apply or learn more, please send a resume and cover letter to MKT@pearldrums.com. 

DEADLINE is April 2nd, 2012 and the recipients will be announced on April 9th...

2011 Interns

Blake Ellis
University of Alabama

I could not have asked for a better experience than the 8 weeks I spent at Pearl. During my internship I received a well-rounded view of how the company operates. I was treated like a real employee and completed tasks that gave me insight into what a career in the musical instrument business entails. As well as completing daily tasks on the marketing side, I spent some time job shadowing employees in finance, sales and customer service.

The Pearl Family was genuinely interested in making sure I received the best education possible during my internship. I had exposure to all product areas including: drum set, marching, Adams/Concert Percussion, Pearl Percussion and even Pearl Flutes! I had a great experience seeing a behind the scenes view of DCI, industry event shows, and the musical instrument business. I highly recommend this internship to anyone in Music Business who is looking for a summer worth remembering!


Morgan Nenne
Bradley University

 My internship with Pearl far exceeded my expectations. Pearl provided me with quality work experience that helped improve my skills as a music business professional. On my very first day at Pearl, I was provided with projects that were specific to my field of study. The working environment at Pearl is laid back yet professional and  the staff is exceptional. They were always willing to answer any questions I had and provide needed insight. If given the chance to work with Pearl again I would not hesitate at the opportunity.





Arianna Fanning
Indiana University

After interning at Pearl for 9 weeks, I walked away with a comprehensive view of how the company operates, and insight into why they are so successful in the industry. Every day brought new tasks, and I was constantly learning. Coming into the internship, I didn’t have a lot of experience in the marching percussion world, but that changed quickly over the summer, as I learned to strip marching snare drums, wrote a web feature on one of Pearl’s drum corps, and worked the Pearl booth at a DCI event!

Pearl is a very pleasant, yet professional workplace, and by the second day, I felt right at home. Everyone I approached with questions would instantly drop what they were doing to help me. The opportunity to intern at Pearl really opened my eyes to another side in the music industry, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great summer.


Andrew Dobos
Ithaca College of Music

My 8 week internship at Pearl this summer was truly a fantastic experience. From the very first day, I felt welcomed as a member of the Pearl family and was treated as a real employee. I was given an extensive tour of the facility as well as an indepth history of the company, and an overview of how the company operates in the music world.

The first half of my internship was spent working with the Sales Team where I worked directly with fellow sales representatives in making phone calls, taking part in dealer reviews, and shipping out literature and products. I also received a lot of hands on experience working with and shipping out a large number of Pearl’s e-Pro Live kits. The second half of my internship was spent with the Marketing side of the building where I was exposed to the methods that Pearl uses to promote their name as well as giving my input during important meetings and discussions. The most rewarding part of the whole experience for me was that the assignments and projects that I worked on directly benefited the company as a whole and helped lessen the workload of a fellow employee. Whether it was writing articles for the company website, setting up drumsets for photoshoots, organizing returned DCI equipment, or compiling documents and spreadsheets, I always felt that my work was highly appreciated and valued.

I strongly recommend this internship for anyone looking to spend their summer working hard with one of the tightest families in the music industry. Thank you, Pearl, for a great experience!

2010 Interns

Charles Lovell
University of Kansas

I could not have asked for a better experience than the 8 weeks I spent at Pearl. During my internship I received a well-rounded view of how the company operates. I was treated like a real employee and completed tasks that gave me insight into what a career in the musical instrument business entails. As well as completing daily tasks on the marketing side, I spent some time job shadowing employees in finance, sales and customer service. The Pearl Family was genuinely interested in making sure I received the best education possible during my internship. I had exposure to all product areas including: drum set, marching, Adams/Concert Percussion, Pearl Percussion and even Pearl Flutes! I had a great experience seeing a behind the scenes view of DCI, industry event shows, and the musical instrument business. I highly recommend this internship to anyone in Music Business who is looking for a summer worth remembering!

Brian Isaac
Oklahoma State University

My experience as one of Pearl’s 2010 summer interns far exceeded my expectations and left me with only positive things to say! On my first day, I was welcomed into such a great environment, comfortable yet extremely efficient. The friendly staff helped me to become oriented with everything in a matter of a few days, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that everyone I would work with at Pearl was either a drummer or musician of some kind, regardless of what position they held in the company. I was given the opportunity to work very closely with various product managers, completing small tasks as well as larger, long-term projects throughout the summer. It was very rewarding to be able to assist in the “behind-the-scenes” processes of Pearl’s online media, drumset and percussion marketing, and the Drum Corps International 2010 summer season. I loved working for Pearl and it was a priceless experience that will help greatly in the start of my career in the music business!  Thanks Pearl!

2009 Interns

Dan Twiford
Eastern Kentucky University

My experience as a Pearl Summer Intern has left me with nothing but good things to say. I worked hand in hand with the Marketing Staff in the areas of Combo and Pearl Percussion for nine weeks. I had on-going long term projects and different short term projects each week that provided a great deal of variety over the course of the summer. The work environment is relaxed and friendly; always someone willing to answer your questions or lend a hand. They really are the best in the industry and it was a great pleasure to work side by side with the people who have led Pearl to having such a great reputation, and such great products. Pearl’s success is no accident. If you would like to learn why and spend a summer with very talented, intelligent, hard-working people – who are great “people” too – then I recommend this internship for you. I have no regrets and would do it all over again if I had the chance. Thanks for the opportunity!
** Pearl Corporation welcomed Dan Twiford to the Marketing Department in 2010 and he is currently the Marching Percussion Marketing Manager.

Kevin Geis
University of Alabama Huntsville

This summer, I was the intern in the Education /Concert department at Pearl. Through my experience at Pearl, I gained a greater understanding and appreciation of what it takes to provide a truly great product. From day one, I was welcomed into the company. Everyone was very helpful, and always took time to answer any questions I had, or help me with a task. The people at Pearl work together in a relaxed and comfortable, yet professional, environment. In the Education/Concert area, I learned a great deal about concert and front ensemble equipment, as well as how Pearl produces its line of flutes! Having spent a large part of my life in drum corps, it was a wonderful experience to be part of Pearl during the DCI season. There is so much that goes into getting drums to the corps, and corps on the field; and Pearl provided me with the opportunity to not only see how the process works, but be a crucial part of it. I found out what it takes to plan and produce many events throughout the summer, including a DCI show, and a dealer party. My experience at Pearl has been amazing, and will prepare me for success as I complete my education and pursue a career.

** Pearl Corporation welcomed Kevin Geis  to the Marketing Department in 2011.

2008 Interns