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| Degrees Available | About
the Percussion Program
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Percussion Faculty |
Degrees Available
- Bachelor of Music in Performance
- Master of Music in Performance
- Master of Music in Performance and Literature
- Certificate in Performance
- Doctor of Music in Performance
About the Percussion Program
Percussion Studies at Northwestern University provides a program
of study in orchestral, solo, chamber, world and jazz idioms. Students
work with world-class artists in both private and master class
settings, creating an unequaled experience in percussion training.
All students study with She-e Wu, the head of the percussion
program, and also have the opportunity to work with the outstanding
adjunct percussion faculty. This extraordinary collection of
professionals truly makes Northwestern's Percussion Program one
of the most diverse and prestigious in the world.
All entering doctoral students receive the equivalent of full
tuition funding.
The Percussion Studio
The Percussion Studio
each year comprises approximately 20 students: 12
undergraduates and 8 graduate students. All students perform in the major
ensembles with the exception of doctoral students who fill
in when needed. Ensembles
include the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, two bands, the
Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, as well as a Contemporary
Music Ensemble. Ensemble
placement is determined through a screened "mini" orchestral
audition process given three times each year (fall, winter and spring
quarters). This
is an excellent training experience for the professional world.
The Percussion
Ensemble is an integral part of the
curriculum. It
has performed at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention)
three times (1996, 2002, 2007) as a result of winning the International
Percussion Ensemble Competition, and released its first CD in 2006. The
Ensemble performs eight concerts on campus each year. Programming
in the past has included works by Cage, Donatoni, Maslanka, Reich,
Takemitsu, Varese, and Xanakis. Guest artists such as Leigh Stevens,
Bob Becker, Anders Astrand, Gordon Stout, Steve Smith, Robin Engelman,
Bill Cahn, and Steve Schick have performed with the ensemble.
Distinguished Alumni
Johan Bridger,
winner of the Soloist Prize in Sweden; percussionist, Helsingborg
Symphony
Thomas Burritt, professor of percussion, University
of Texas at Austin
Brett Dietz, professor of percussion, Louisiana
State University
Marc Dinitz, principal percussion, US Air Force
Band (Washington DC)
Eric Garcia, timpanist, West Point Academy
Band
Scott Herring, professor of percussion, University
of South Carolina
Eric Hollenbeck, professor of percussion, Colorado
State University (Fort Collins)
Will James, percussionist, New
World Symphony
Kris Keeton, professor of percussion, Virginia
Commonwealth University
Angela Zator Nelson, percussionist,
Philadelphia Orchestra
Contact for further information:
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Percussion Faculty
Ruben Alvarez
Lecturer, Percussion
Biographical information to come.
James Ross
Lecturer, Percussion
847-491-5254
MMus, Northern Illinois University
Member, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1979-present). Former member, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. Active chamber musician; has performed and recorded with Chicago Pro Musica, Chamber Music Chicago, Contemporary Chamber Players, Summit Brass, and Vermeer Quartet. Frequent appearances on the Chicago Symphony Chamber Music Series. Master classes and clinics at international conventions. Coach, Civic Orchestra of Chicago percussion section. 
She-e Wu
Associate Professor, Percussion
sheewu@northwestern.edu - 847-491-5254
MMus, University of North Texas
Recent Activity
Coordinator, percussion program. Former member of jazz faculties at the Mason
Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Studied under Robert Schietroma,
Leigh Howard Stevens, Ed Soph, and Tzong-Ching Ju. Member of the Bob Becker
Ensemble. Convention appearances as a solo artist include Percussive Arts Society
International Conventions, National Percussion Convention of Spain, and the
International Percussion Convention. Festival appearances as a solo artist
include Journées de la Percussion, NancyPhony Festival, perKumania Festival,
PercuPassion Festival, Back Symposium/Bach Variation Festival at Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts, International Percussion Festival, and Giornate della
Percussione in Italy. Active composer, with premieres at the Journées
de la Percussion festival and the Taipei International Percussion Convention.
Guest recitalist and clinician at universities and conservatories in France,
Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, England and Germany. Served as judge for the
PAS Composition Competition and International Percussion Ensemble Competition.
Clinician/recitalist for Dynasty, Zildjian and Innovative Percussion. | Back to Top |
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