University of Kentucky School of Music Percussion Studies

by Jim Campbell - Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor, Director of Percussion Studies, University of Kentucky School of Music

Contents (all except this page are PDF documents):

1. Welcome (this page)
2. General Information
3. Performance Syllabus
4. Required Equipment
5. Syllabus for Ensemble
6. Percussion Grade Rubric
7. Repertoire

• 12 Golden Rules

Dear Percussion Student:

Welcome to the Percussion Program at the University of Kentucky School of Music. This handbook will help you become familiar with some of your specific goals and responsibilities as a percussionist.

Cultural and stylistic diversity is the future of music and society. For a percussionist, versatility is the key to maintaining a cutting edge in our current cultural and economic climate. Percussion crosses all boundaries and percussion students have the widest possible vocabulary of instruments and musical genres to master - more than any other instrumentalist.
To stay competitive, a percussionist must be fluent in the standard orchestral instruments and literature of snare drum, mallet keyboard, timpani and accessories; contemporary styles of multiple percussion; jazz and commercial styles of drum set and vibraphone; electronic percussion and computer music applications; global music styles of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and India. Additionally, music educators and performers of the 21st century should be prepared to face extra-musical challenges ranging from cuts in funding and program reductions to the ups and downs of an unpredictable and highly competitive live music market.

The percussion program at the University of Kentucky is a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The percussion curriculum is designed to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, cultural awareness, and technological literacy in both performance and pedagogy. Regardless of degree concentration, the undergraduate student will maintain regular study of keyboard percussion and additional directed areas based on individual goals and needs. Graduate students may choose to specialize in one or more areas as they work toward degree recital requirements.

The goal of the Percussion Studies Program is to provide professional-level experiences and opportunities for all students that will foster growth through self-discipline, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Successful students will embrace these challenges and others as they develop a passion for life-long learning that will lead to a rewarding career.

James B. Campbell
Professor of Music
Director of Percussion Studies
University of Kentucky