Questions about percussion studies at UNCG should be directed to Dr. Eric Willie at [email protected] or (336) 334-5186.
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Degree Programs
UNCG offers the following degree programs for students interested in studying Percussion:
Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Music Education
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Music Performance
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Composition
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – Music
Music Minor
Graduate Programs
Master of Music (M.M.) – Performance
Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) – Music
Certificate Programs
Percussion Faculty
Dr. Eric Willie
Percussion Facilities at UNCG
The percussion studio is part of a 26 million dollar music building which is the largest academic building on campus and is among the finest music facilities in the nation. We have our own percussion rehearsal hall used solely for percussion ensemble, small chamber groups, small recitals, masterclasses, repertoire class and private lessons. We also have 6 practice rooms, each equipped with at least two large percussion instruments (marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, timpani, drum set, etc.), and 2 larger practice rooms used for small ensembles, chamber groups, and lessons. These include dedicated rooms for orchestral excerpts and multiple-percussion.
PERCUSSION EQUIPMENT
Percussion Rehearsal Hall
Two 5-octave marimbas (Yamaha and Marimba One)
Four 4 -1/3 octave marimbas (Musser and Kori)
Three vibraphones (Musser Pro-Vibe)
Two rosewood xylophones (Yamaha and Musser)
Two Fall Creek glockenspiels (One wide bar)
Two sets of chimes
Set of 5 Walter Light timpani
Three concert bass drums
5-piece Yamaha drum set
Full set of steel drums
Set of Cooperman frame drums
Set of West African drums
Several congas and bongos
Two sets of 8 concert toms
Two octaves of crotales
Various opera, wind, button gongs, and tam-tams
Various snare drums, including six Pearl Philharmonic
Wide assortment of cymbals and accessory instruments
Grand piano
Practice Rooms
Five 5-octave marimbas (Yamaha, Marimba One, and Adams)
Two vibraphones (Yamaha)
Two xylophones (Malletech and Deagan)
Fall Creek glockenspiel
One set of 4 Walter Light timpani
One set of 4 Ludwig timpani
Various concert snare drums
5-piece Yamaha drum set
Several multiple percussion set-ups, as needed
Various world percussion instruments
Various accessory instruments
Upright piano
Band/Orchestra Rehearsal Hall
Full set of percussion equipment comparable to the Percussion Rehearsal Hall so no instruments travel to and from the percussion complex
Percussion Ensemble
The UNCG Percussion Ensemble performs a diverse repertoire, allowing students to experience a broad range of percussion music from Western and non-Western traditions. Programs include smaller chamber works (trios, quartets, quintets) as well as larger conducted works. Dr. Neeraj Mehta, the ensemble director, cultivates an environment where students are fully engaged and contribute to all aspects of the percussion ensemble experience. This creates the opportunity for the exchange of musical ideas, development of effective chamber skills, and the creation of unique interpretations of music. As members of the ensemble, students also have the opportunity to participate in the West African Ensemble and Steel Band. The UNCG Percussion Ensemble performs two concerts per year and also participates in schoolwide events, such as the annual Collage Concert. Off campus, the ensemble regularly performs at P.A.S. “Days of Percussion” in North Carolina.
Recent repertoire highlights include:
Threads (Paul Lansky), Tin Play (Per Andreasson), Sculpture in Wood (Rudiger Pawassar), Ionisation (Edgar Varese), Nordic Peace (Tobias Bostrom), Dusk (Dave Samuels), Metroplex Drive (Anders Astrand), Sonata No. 2 “Woodstock” (Peter Schickele), Gasoline Rainbow (Adam Silverman), Jose Before John 5 (Aurel Hollo), Ogoun Badagris (Christopher Rouse), and Living Room Music (John Cage)
The Percussion Ensemble is directed by Dr. Eric Willie.