Great care is given to maintaining a balanced and selective studio affording each student extensive and diverse performance opportunities. All of the undergraduate and masters students perform in one of the large ensembles (orchestras and/or bands) and also have opportunities to perform in the jazz program, the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and other curricular and non-curricular chamber ensembles.
We offer multiple active percussion chamber ensembles that rehearse and perform regularly. The Chamber Percussion Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of significant and interesting works for the percussion ensemble. Repertoire from diverse trends in 20th and 21st century chamber composition is explored with an emphasis on new compositions for percussion.
The World Percussion Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of significant percussive styles from around the globe. Percussion traditions from various cultures, including Cuba, Brazil, India and the Middle East are explored through performance and cultural research and most of the music studied by the ensemble is done so in the oral tradition. The ensemble works diligently to present the music performed in its traditional folkloric settings. In 2010 the ensemble won the Percussive Arts Society International World Percussion Ensemble Competition, resulting in a feature performance at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
The Graduate Percussion Group is uniquely autonomous allowing the members to have primary input in repertoire selection, musical decisions, etc. With timely coaching from the percussion faculty, this ensemble provides extensive experience in advanced chamber ensemble preparation and performance in a musically democratic environment.
