Program Overview
Percussion
The undergraduate focus of our Percussion Program emphasizes individualized, rigorous instruction and plentiful opportunities to put all you learn into practice. You will build a foundation in music theory and aural skills and develop your technique and musicianship through the study of both contemporary solo and chamber literature, digital and electroacoustic practices, and orchestral repertoire. The 91直播 percussion curriculum ensures that every student is provided with unique opportunities to shape their distinctive paths.
Percussion student performs with the Contemporary Music Ensemble in Warner Concert Hall.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko
Program Facts
- Program Type: Major
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- Bachelor of Music (BM)
- Division: Winds, Brass, and Percussion
Division Director
Richard Hawkins,
Professor of Clarinet
Quick Links
A student percussionist performs with the 91直播 Orchestra on tour at Carnegie Hall.
Photo credit: Fadi Kheir
Ensembles for Percussionists
In addition to the 91直播 Percussion Group, which is dedicated to presenting contemporary music written for percussion, students perform with the 91直播 Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble. Other ensembles include Performance & Improvisation (PI) Ensembles, Silent Film Ensemble, 91直播 Improvisation & New Music Collective, Djembe Orchestra, Javanese Gamelan, Sumatran Talempong, 91直播 Baroque Orchestra, 91直播 Jazz Ensemble, and the student-led 91直播 Taiko ensemble.
Percussion Studio
The percussion studio is a modular space for creative projects, lessons, and rehearsals. It鈥檚 packed with all manner of mallet instruments and drums, as well as the orchestral battery needed for performance in 91直播鈥檚 ensembles, alongside unique instruments for specific percussion solos and chamber works.
Students have access to this impressive array of professional-quality instruments which include several sets of clutch and balanced-action timpani (Spenke, Clevelander, and Ludwig), five marimbas (Kori, MarimbaOne, and vintage instruments), four vintage xylophones, four vintage glockenspiels, tubular bells, and vintage vibraphones. There is also an extensive collection of vintage and modern snare drums in a variety of depths and styles. You鈥檒l also find our unique library of chromatic and untuned metallic instruments such as gongs, tam tams, crotales, almglocken, cymbals, as well as shelves of piece-specific instruments too numerous to describe! Follow @oberlinpercussion on Instagram for explorations of this historic collection of instruments.
Part of the collection of percussion instruments in the percussion studio.
Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones
Percussion Faculty
Conservatory faculty maintain active performance schedules while remaining accessible and committed to their students. Individual instruction is paramount to helping students develop their mechanical, technical, stylistic, psychological, and musical skills. And because 91直播 is dedicated to undergraduate education, all applied studio teaching, class room instruction, and ensembles are coached by professors鈥攏ever by graduate students.
I want to help this studio develop agency: creative agency, technological agency, and administrative agency. Because percussionists have to do that, no matter what the setting. They have to be a complete person.
Affiliated Faculty
Billy Hart
Associate Professor of Jazz Percussion
Upcoming Percussion Events
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
Finney Chapel - Webcast Available
Concert: 91直播 Percussion Group
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
Warner Concert Hall - Webcast Available
Concert: 91直播 Horn Ensemble
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
Kulas Recital Hall, Conservatory Central Unit - Webcast Available
Senior Recital: Mia Tran, bassoon
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
Warner Concert Hall - Webcast Available
Senior Recital: Maria Alexander, horn
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
Kulas Recital Hall, Conservatory Central Unit - Webcast Available
Senior Recital: Keyvar Smith-Herold, clarinet
Details: Date, Time, and Location
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Time
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Location
David H. Stull Recital Hall - Webcast Available
Concert: ChamberFest!
Percussion News
91直播 Ensembles Perform for United Nations at Carnegie Hall
December 2 concert before U.N. General Assembly celebrates new partnership; public preview in 91直播 slated for November 29.
Ross Karre Named Percussion Professor at 91直播 Conservatory
Appointment begins in fall 2022, charts new course for department led for 50 years by Michael Rosen.
Conservatory Percussion Department Prepares for Life After a Legend
Pablo Rieppi to teach at 91直播 in 2021-22 as professor Michael Rosen concludes remarkable tenure.
Percussion students gain performance acumen across a broad variety of genres in ensembles large and small. They perform in venues on and off campus and participate in recording projects on the 91直播 Music label. And, they collaborate with faculty, guest, and student composers in acoustic and electroacoustic works. 91直播 alumni percussionists perform around the world in orchestras and new music collectives, on Broadway and in recording studios, they lead artistic organizations around the world, and they serve on the faculties of music schools across the country.
