Academic and Performance Areas
Brass and Percussion Program
The Brass and Percussion Area at the Michigan State University School
of Music attracts students with a wide range of interests, resulting in
degrees ranging from music performance and music education, to music therapy,
and music theory/composition. Brass and percussion faculty are highly
active performers and teachers, recognized nationally and internationally.
At the same time, they are committed to student instruction, growth and
involvement in diverse activities of the MSU School of Music.
About the Program
All students in the program participate in private lessons, studio activities, and
are actively involved in large and small ensemble performance.
Students are required to take 60- or 40-minute private lessons each week. They also attend weekly studio classes with their major professor. The faculty coach brass and percussion chamber ensembles, and many also lead larger ensembles within the studio setting.
Number of Brass/Percussion Majors: 112
Faculty
* Maintains active performance schedules, appearing frequently as soloists,
in chamber groups, and as members of highly acclaimed ensembles
* Conduct master classes, active in summer music festivals, and called
upon to adjudicate
throughout the nation
* Impressive collection of CD recordings
* Frequently commission and premier of new solo works
* Involvement with a variety of research and technology initiatives
* Active in their respective instrument organizations
Faculty members:
Gwendolyn Burgett Thrasher,
Assistant Professor, Percussion
Janine Gaboury-Sly, Associate
Professor, Horn
Richard Illman, Associate
Professor, Trumpet
Curtis Olson, Professor, Trombone; Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies and Operations
Ava Ordman, Associate Professor, Trombone
Philip Sinder, Professor,
Tuba/Euphonium, Area Chair
John Weber, Instructor
of Percussion
Graduates of the Program
* Placement records for brass and percussion graduates as educators and performers are very
high.
* Music Educator graduates can be found in public schools and universities across the nation,
including Berklee College of Music, McNeese State University, University of Akron, University
of Alaska, and Concordia College (Minn.), to name a few.
* Performance graduates can be found in prestigious ensembles and symphonies throughout
the nation. Some include: Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony
Orchestra,
* American Classic Trombone Quartet, Colorado Philharmonic Orchestra, American Wind
Symphony, and the U.S., Air Force, and Coast Guard Bands.
Performance Opportunities
Trumpet Ensemble
Horn Choir
Trombone Choir
Tuba-euphonium Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble
Chamber Ensembles, including Brass Quintets
Orchestras: Symphony, Philharmonic, Chamber, and Concert Orchestras
University Bands: Wind, Symphony, Concert, and Campus Bands
Athletic Bands: Marching Band and Brass Band
Musique 21: New Music Ensemble
Degrees
Bachelor of Music
Master of Music
Doctoral of Music Arts
Links
Athletic Bands at the School of Music
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