Percussion Department
Whether you are an aspiring orchestral timpanist, a jazz or rock drum set player, drum-line enthusiast, Latin percussionist, or African drummer the percussions department is well equipped and well staffed to meet your needs.
What We Offer:
- Highly accomplished degree holding, professionally performing instructors
- Instruction in a wide range of styles including jazz, rock and African drumming, orchestral, concert band, and Latin percussion
- Fully equipped studios including drum set, vibraphone, marimba, xylophone, timpani, snare drum, auxiliary concert percussion, and congas, bongos, timbales, djembe, and auxiliary Latin percussion
- Instruction to students of all ages and levels of experience in an individual, student first approach group classes for children, teens and adults
- State of the art equipment
- Ensemble opportunities and performing experiences
- Solo and ensemble competition coaching as well as audition preparation
- Performance opportunities in the acoustically superb and beautiful Helen Bader Recital Hall
- The Dorothea Music Library with over 50,000 CDs and LPs, DVD scores and books (including the Ron Cuzner collection of over 10,000 jazz CDs )
- Free admission to all Conservatory produced performances and master classes
Free use of practice rooms (based on availability)
- Student discounts for recording services
- Scholarship and financial aid
- Summer Drum Set camps
Faculty and Locations:
Eric Jacobson* - Dept. Chair
David Bayles | Drum Set, Mallets, Orchestral Percussion | Prospect
Robert Figueroa | Latin Percussion | Prospect/Wilson
Jahmes Finlayson | African and Latin Percussion | Prospect
Bony Plog-Benavides | Mallets, Orchestral, African and Latin Percussion | Prospect
Anthony Ramirez | Latin Percussion | Prospect
Joshua Sherman | Drum Set, Mallets, Orchestral Percussion | Prospect
Terry Smirl | Drum Set, Mallets, Orchestral Percussion | Prospect
Tuition Rates for Individual Instruction:
Range from $30-$32 for a thirty minute lesson; $45-$47.50 for a forty five minute lesson; or $60-$64 for a sixty minute lesson.
Path of Learning
Individual Instruction
Enjoy learning a string instrument in a musical environment designed to meet the needs of students of various ages, levels and styles
Group Classes
Group study allows students to learn in a motivational, supportive, and fun setting.
Children
- Individual Instruction
- Hand Drumming Discoveries
- Hand Drumming for Kids
- Percussion for Kids (fall and spring)
- Make Music with Me
- Theory is Fun
- Music & Musicians
- Drum Set Camp
Teens and Adults
- Individual Instruction
- Afro – Caribbean Hand Drumming
- High School Percussion Ensemble
- Jazz Combos
- Jazz Rhythm Section Master Class
- Jazz Transcription
- Latin Jazz Band
- Rock Combos: “Classic Rock” Band, Blues Combo, Bluegrass Ensemble
- Rock/Blues Rhythm Section Master Class
- Songwriting for Today’s Musicians
- Music Theory 1 followed by Music Theory 2
- Music Theory at the Keyboard
- Drum Set Camp
Current Classes:
Children | Teen & Adults
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