Percussion

Private instruction in percussion is available for academic credit at the University.  Lessons include instruction in all area of percussion: snare drum, mallet-keyboard, timpani, drum set, auxiliary instruments, and hand percussion.  Instruction is geared toward preparing students for solo percussion performance, as well as strengthening performance quality in ensembles.

There are many ensembles in which students can participate, including the Southern Pride Marching Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles, Hoop Troop Basketball Pep Band, and the Net Squad Pep Band.  Additionally, students participate in the University Percussion Ensemble, which affords opportunities to perform a wide variety of musical genres in a chamber setting.

In short, the Gretsch School of Music is a great place for individualized attention to hone your percussion skills and become the very best musician you can be. Are you ready? Then apply today!

Percussion Ensembles

The percussion ensembles at the Gretsch School of Music are an integral component of a percussion student’s musical growth and experience. Its focus is a broad repertoire encompassing many styles of percussion literature including transcriptions, popular music, world music, and a variety of traditional percussion ensemble staples. An ensemble will expose you to a different type of participation not found in the typical symphonic band or orchestral experience.

The Georgia Southern Percussion Ensembles (one in Statesboro, one at Armstrong)  are an integral component of a percussion student’s musical growth and experience.  Its focus is a broad repertoire encompassing many styles of percussion literature including transcriptions, popular music, world music, and a variety of traditional percussion ensemble staples.

Students performing in the percussion ensemble are exposed to a different type of ensemble participation not found in the typical symphonic band or orchestral experience.   This creates much more focus on the execution of individual sounds being produced on percussion instruments due to the soloistic role they play in this particular setting.   As a result, students are usually able to perform more confidently in a full ensemble and have a better understanding of how their particular part fits into the larger whole of a piece.

Percussion students interested in auditioning for acceptance into the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music as a music major should click here for audition requirement information.

Check out the Statesboro Percussion Ensemble performing with Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro on the American premier of his Concerto No. 2 for Vibraphone and Percussion Ensemble.

It’s all about the sound and technique as you hit a snare, rock a drum kit with a jazz or top-40 group, punctuate with a tympani, hammer mallets to create the melodic sound of the marimba or use your hands on a conga and innumerable percussion instruments.

Every kind of percussion expertise is mentored in weekly private instruction preparing you for solo performance or strengthening the quality of your ensemble work so your talent will soar!

Watch the Georgia Southern University Percussion Ensemble performing with Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro on the American premier of his Concerto No. 2 for Vibraphone and Percussion Ensemble below.

Percussion Faculty

You’ll be guided by Dr. Matt Fallin and Dr. Stephen Primatic, both musicians with vast performing and teaching careers. 

Questions? Contact Us!

Last updated: 11/30/2023