The TCU Percussion Studio is under the direction of Dr. Brian A. West. Professional degree study is available at the undergraduate and masters levels in performance and music education. Although the percussion studio is in a period of growth, the size of the studio is small enough for all students to receive a variety of performance opportunities and much individual attention. The emphasis of the studio is to give all students a well-rounded knowledge of percussion. This includes all the keyboard percussion instruments (two and four mallet technique), snare drum (concert and rudimental), timpani, drumset, different types of world music, and a broad knowledge of all the many accessory percussion instruments. Currently there are 19 music majors and many non-music majors involved in the studio.
 
Ensembles

We were pleased to announce the addition of a Steel Drum Band to our list of ensembles in Spring 2004, housed in the new Music Building South. This full steel band is comprised of 10 sets of pans, and includes drumset and many Latin percussion instruments.

The University Percussion Ensemble is dedicated to performing a variety of percussion ensemble literature. This group performs classical transcriptions for keyboards, standard percussion ensemble pieces, more contemporary pieces, and jazz or pop arrangements. In addition to performing a concert each semester, the ensemble is dedicated to furthering percussion education in the North Texas area. This is achieved through many exhibition performances outside of the University. Currently there are 23 percussionists performing with the ensemble. Recent literature performed by the ensemble includes: the world premiere of A’Fair to Remember – Garwell, The Palace of Nine Perfections - Ewazen, Chameleon Music – Welcher, Doomsday Machine – Burritt, Prelude and Dance – Lo Presti, The Whistler – Green, Ragtime Robin – Green, Lua – Airto, Raptures of Undream – Hamilton, Duo Chopinesque – Hennagin, Carnival Overture – Dvorak, Rainbow Ripples – Green, Fluffy Ruffles – Green, Wildwood – Bissonette, Stained Glass – Gillingham, Celebration – Gauger, Minuano 6/8 – Metheny, Graceful Ghost – Bolcom, Adagio from Symphony III – Saint-Saens, Ogoun Badagris – Rouse, Scherzo from Symphony IV – Tchaikovsky, No Exit – Glassock, Log Cabin Blues – Green, Melisande’s Death – Sibelius, The First Circle – Metheny, Portico – Gauger, Toccata – Chavez, Field of the Dead – Prokofiev, Sharpened Stick – Dietz, Brasileiro – Obiedo, Xylophonia – Green, Frivolity – Green, Four Stick Joe – Breuer.

See a Qucktime movie of the TCU Percussion Ensemble at the 2005 TMEA.

Marching percussion at TCU is a year-round activity. The Horned Frog Marching Band Percussion Section is one of the top performing ensembles of its kind in the state. This fall, the section included: 9 snares, 5 tenors, 5 bass drums, 5 cymbals, and 15 in the pit. The band performs before an annual crowd of almost 200,000 and has traveled to bowl games the last five consecutive years. Marching percussion activities also include the Winter Drumline. This ensemble performs with the Percussion Ensemble on concerts, and also at exhibitions outside of the University to enhance percussion education. Auditions occur early each spring and are open to students from TCU, local junior colleges, and local high schools.

Other Ensembles available to students include the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, two Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and Basketball Band.

Admission and Audition Information

In order to audition for entrance into the School of Music and possible scholarships, students must be prepared to perform in at least three different areas of percussion. Pieces demonstrating ability on keyboard percussion, snare drum, and timpani must be performed with drumset performance being optional but encouraged. Sight-reading in each of three required performance areas is also part of the audition.

Take me to the School of Music Admission/Auditions

Scholarships and Assistantships

Scholarships are available to any student at TCU. One does not have to be a music major or minor to benefit from a scholarship. Assistantships that include full-tuition remission plus a stipend are available for graduate students.

Endorsements

The TCU Percussion Studio is proud to be endorsed by the Innovative Percussion, Yamaha, Remo, and Sabian Corporations. These endorsements give TCU students a chance to perform on the latest and best percussion equipment, and to sample products before purchasing them.

Graduate Students

Prerequisites: Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent with a major in the area of proposed graduate study. Students majoring in performance must present a satisfactory audition prior to admission, provide a list of repertoire, letters of recommendation and a statement of professional experience and goals. The audition may be in person or by tape recording. Degree programs may be pursued in Master of Music with emphasis in performance, pedagogy, musicology, theory/composition and Master of Music Education.

Graduate assistantships are available to full-time students. Applicants must be admissible to a graduate program, have a strong audition and academic record, and present favorable recommendations. In general, assistantships carry tuition grants and stipends.

Percussion Equipment

The percussion inventory at TCU has been growing tremendously in the past few years. Recent purchases include: a complete set of steel drums (10 pans), 3 Marimba One 5 octave rosewood marimbas (adjustable height), 3 Yamaha 4 1/3 octave marimbas (adjustable height), a 4 octave extended range Yamaha vibraphone (adjustable height), 2 octaves of Paiste crotales, 2 Yamaha drumsets, a Clevelander concert Snare Drum, 2 Latin Percussion congas, a set of 5 Adams Cloyd Duff timpani, many drum and cymbal stands, and many smaller accessory percussion instruments. In addition to this new equipment, the University also owns: 4 marimbas, 3 vibraphones, 2 xylophones, 2 sets of orchestra bells, 2 sets of timpani, a drum set, 4 concert snare drums, a set of concert toms, a few gongs and tam tams, a complete set of suspended and paired cymbals, a complete set of stands and hardware, and many accessory instruments.

Summer Camp

Each summer the TCU Percussion Studio hosts a Marching Percussion Camp. This two-day event is open to all middle school, high school, and college age students. Students are grouped into like age and ability level classes to create a positive learning environment. They simply bring the instrument they want instruction on and we do the rest! Instruction is provided on snare drum, tenor drums, bass drum, cymbals, and all front ensemble (pit) instruments. The camp will be run by TCU Coordinator of Percussion Brian West, and will feature a staff of today’s leading experts in marching percussion. For an informational brochure on the Summer '06 camp click here.

Percussion Faculty/Staff

Brian A West
Joey Carter
Hector Gil
Richard C. Gipson
Paul Rennick
Brian Youngblood


In Summary

The TCU Percussion Studio is dedicated to maximizing percussion education through a wide variety of performing ensembles and a closely supervised private lesson structure. Visit the TCU Percussion Webpage.

For more information please contact:

Brian West
Associate Professor of Percussion
Texas Christian University
School of Music
TCU Box 297500 - Fort Worth, Texas 76129
1.800.TCU.FROG
817.257.5759 Fax: 817.257.7344
music@tcu.edu

12/05/03