Percussion Division - Undergraduate

Admission, Requirements and Process

Ohio University's percussion faculty offer comprehensive study through private lessons, percussion ensembles, percussion pedagogy, and percussion literature courses. In addition to the percussion ensemble, jazz percussion ensemble, and marimba ensemble, students can further their performance skills through participation in Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Combos, New Music Ensemble, and Marching Band.

Undergraduate Percussion Audition Requirements  

Prepare solos or etudes that demonstrate your experience in the following areas of percussion:

• Snare drum
• Mallets  
• Timpani  

You will also be asked to demonstrate fundamental skills in these areas of percussion: rudiments, scales, timpani tuning, and sight-reading. If desired, you may prepare selections to show additional skills in the areas of drum set, multiple percussion, or hand drums. Undergraduate percussion auditions are scheduled for 30 minutes.

Facilities for Percussion

Eight locked rooms are devoted exclusively to percussion practice. Rooms are set up to accommodate mallet, multi-percussion, timpani, drum set, orchestral percussion, and world percussion practice. The unique physical arrangement of the teaching and practice areas, and the resulting interaction among students and faculty, creates a "percussion family" in which sharing and learning extends beyond the studio and classroom. In addition to the practice and faculty studio areas on the sixth floor of the music building, percussion is also stored in the ensemble rehearsal hall, and the large ensemble performance hall, Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

Ohio University Jazz Percussion Ensemble  

One of the first groups to blend jazz and world music with percussion, the Jazz Percussion Ensemble was originally founded by Percussion Professor Emeritus, Guy Remonko in 1974. The 10-member ensemble consists of select students from the Ohio University School of Music. Emphasizing improvisation and student creativity, the group has created a unique repertoire that has gained national attention. The ensemble has performed at national conferences, including the 2003 Ohio Music Educators Association Conference and the 1999 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, as well as schools and colleges throughout the region. The group’s performances have featured many internationally recognized artists including Dave Samuels, Chris Vadala, Ted Piltzecker, Bill Molenhof, and Roland Vazquez. The group recorded a CD titled “On Fire” in the Spring of 2001.

Ohio University Percussion Ensemble 

Under the direction of Roger Braun, director of percussion studies at Ohio University, the Ohio University Percussion Ensemble performs a wide variety of music composed for percussion instruments. Repertoire includes historical pieces of the 20th Century by composers such as John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Edgard Varese, and Steve Reich and recent works by composers like Christopher Rouse, Dan McCarthy, Bill Cahn, and David Gillingham. Additional repertoire includes pieces by student and local composers and percussion world music traditions. Performances by the ensemble have been featured at nationally recognized conferences as well as schools and universities around the region.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We provide several options for students seeking talent-based scholarships, as well as opportunities for first-year and transfer students seeking funding for specific programs. Explore these details on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.