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About
The percussion area provides students with a comprehensive background to develop the disciplines and skills essential to a professional musician or teacher. Undergraduate programs in performance, jazz studies, music education, music theory, composition and music therapy are offered, as well as masters and doctoral degrees in performance and education. Within each of these programs there is latitude for the student to specialize and still obtain a comprehensive knowledge of the percussion area.
An experienced teaching staff offers a wide range of instructional opportunities. Dr. J. B. Smith is the director of percussion studies. His specialties include concert percussion, keyboard percussion and recital coaching. Dr. Mark Sunkett offers expertise in African drumming, concert percussion and jazz. Dom Moio teaches drumset, concert snare drum and Latin percussion. Simone Mancuso specializes in European literature and assists with solo recital coaching.
Percussion students have the opportunity to play in the ASU Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta, Wind Bands, the Sun Devil Marching Band and the Lyric Opera Theatre Orchestra. There are also numerous small ensembles including the Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Jazz Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Mexican Marimba Ensemble, Pan Devils Steel Band, African Drum Ensemble, Gamelan, Concert Jazz Band and many jazz combos. For advanced players there are numerous playing opportunities off-campus including theatrical productions, local and touring artists and community orchestras.