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Percussion Courses
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Private Lessons
All students meet with private instructors 50 minutes per week starting the second week of classes. Although studio lessons may vary according to the individual teacher and student, it is expected that you meet minimum standards in the following areas:
- Snare drum
- Timpani
- Keyboard percussion
- Drum set and/or multiple percussion
Course requirements for MUP 111 and 127 (Freshman-Sophomore lessons) may be modified by the private instructor as needed to devote extra lesson and practice time to specific problems or needs. Also, you can concentrate on specific areas as long as equivalent material is covered in that semester. Balancing adjustments would be necessary during following semesters. For example, an MUP 127 student could cover 50 pp. of snare drum and 50 pp. of mallet material in the fall and then cover 50 pp. of timpani and 30 pp. of drum set in the spring.
To advance into Junior-Senior level lessons (MUP 311 and 327), you must pass the equivalent of four semesters of MUP 111 or 127. Most recital requirements are fulfilled during the 300 sequence. The basic focus is on literature and refinement of technique and musicianship. Material can be drawn from either pedagogical sources or the solo repertory. During this period, you may be allowed to pursue your specialized area of interest or study ancillary areas (hand drumming, improvisation, keyboard harmony, electronic percussion, auxiliary percussion, etc.).
Private lessons at the graduate level (MUP 511, 527 and 727) are designed to expand repertoire, increase pedagogical resources and develop programs for solo recitals.
Jury Exams
End of semester jury exams are used to evaluate the material covered in lessons. If you have performed well during the semester and have a studio letter grade of "A" the jury requirement can be waived. Otherwise, you are required to prepare, under the supervision of the studio teacher, a ten-minute jury consisting of materials worked on during the semester and one student-prepared piece. Scales may be required on the mallet instruments. Sight-reading may be required on any of the instruments.
Recitals
Percussion performance majors perform a 1/2 recital during junior year and full recital during senior year. Instrumental music majors perform a 1/2 recital during your junior or senior year. Masters students present two full recitals and DMA students three. A recital hearing must be scheduled at least one month prior to the recital date. The hearing should represent at least a portion of all pieces to be performed. Percussion faculty attend the hearing, as well as, committee members for graduate recitals. The hearing may be scheduled at the same time as end-of-semester jury exams.
Ensemble Performance (MUP 385, 585)
A wide range of small ensemble experiences are available for music majors and non-majors:
Contemporary Percussion Ensemble
Percussion Jazz Ensemble
African Drum Ensemble
Steel Band
Mexican Marimba Band
Gamelan
Brazilian Bateria
Academic Courses (MUP 451, 481, 551, 581)
Percussion Pedagogy: Percussion
A lecture/presentation course presenting teaching philosophies, techniques and methods. In addition, you assemble professional materials in anticipation of job applications, auditions and interviews.
Repertoire: Percussion
An historical survey of significant literature written for percussion.
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