Phil Faini has taught percussion at West Virginia University for 40 years, the last ten serving as Dean of the College of Creative Arts, where he retired as Dean Emeritus in 2000. He has long been involved in the development of percussion ensemble literature, composing and arranging numerous works for the medium, ranging from popular, jazz, and ethnic music of East and West Africa, to the standard classical literature. His works are published by CPP/Belwin and Accura Music.