Percussion

The percussion program currently has 20 percussion majors which includes jazz performance majors, music education majors, and performance majors. All the percussion majors acquire a professional level of performance ability on all of the percussion instruments. In addition students pursue their particular interests ranging from jazz (drum set/vibraphone) to classical (marimba/orchestral percussion). Several of the students have extensive experience in marching band/drum corps while several are developing their composition and conducting background. Students are also encouraged to develop skills and background in a variety of non-western genres such as Cuban and African music.

Collaborations

The percussion studio frequently collaborates with students and faculty in the Theatre & Dance and Art & Design. These collaborations have led to programs such as “DanSculptureCussion”. Produced in 2004, this program included both composed and improvised music as well as improvised and choreographed dance. All music was performed on sounable sculptures made by students in the sculpture and

Faculty

The percussion faculty consists of Robert Rosen (orchestral percussion) and Ryan Korb (jazz percussion). Their overlapping backgrounds are both complimentary and unique which gives students a broad range of feedback and learning opportunities.

Facilities

The percussion facilities consists of a 1000 sq. ft. teaching/rehearsing studio and 5 percussion practice rooms all located in close proximity to each other and within easy distance from the ensemble rehearsal rooms and Michelsen Concert Hall. The instrument inventory is extensive and up to date.

Auditions

Auditions generally consist of the following:

A solo on snare drum
A solo on keyboard percussion (marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone)
A solo on tympani
For drum-set I will ask you to do the following:
1. Play time in several styles including swing and Latin styles
2. Trade 4,s in several styles
3. Play an improvised solo that has a distinct beginning and distinct ending
Open and closed rolls on snare drum at various dynamic levels
Sight reading on snare drum and marimba
Multi-percussion solos are fine but are not required. Since set up is always an issue, advanced planning with the percussion faculty is always advisable.

It is always a good idea to focus your preparation on your strengths. Choose solos that will show these qualities off. If you are less experienced in any of these aspects it is not as important as where your strengths are. If your solos are long enough it is possible that you may be asked to stop you before you are finished in order to conserve time, however, most of the time we prefer to hear the entire solo.

Bring your own mallets and music. We will supply the instruments unless you prefer to use your own.