Percussion at SOSU

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

The Percussion Program at SOSU is centered on and dedicated to training and developing professional educators and performers who are proficient on a wide variety of instruments, with a strong emphasis on pedagogy and musicianship. Students have the opportunity to learn and perform (through private instruction and ensemble participation) on the traditional Western instruments as well as instruments from other cultures and regions of the world.

Dr. Marc M. White
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PERCUSSION
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS
NEW STUDENT COORDINATOR

• Applied Percussion
• Percussion Ensemble
• SOSU Drumline
• Executive Director of the Red River Drum & Auxiliary Camp
• Percussion Methods Class
• Music Fundamentals Class
• Percussion Literature Class
• Percussion Pedagogy Class

D.M.A. University of North Texas
M.M. University of North Texas
B.M. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Previously taught at Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Texas, and Tarleton State University. Currently performs with Velvet Brown (tuba with percussion trio) and has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, North Carolina Theater, and a variety of commercial groups in the Dallas–Fort Worth and Raleigh–Durham areas. Former teachers include Robert Schietroma, Ron Fink, Ed Soph, Leigh Howard Stevens, Lynn Glassock, Al Payson, Michael Green, and Scott Meister.

PERCUSSIONISTS 2007-2008:

• Stephanie Cypert
• Tracy Dishman
• Ted Doolan
• Ryan Emrick
• Johnathan Evans
• Derek Fleeman
• Lucas Freeman
• Tiffany Jeter
• Jeremy Jennings
• Charley Kemp
• Justin Lemaster
• Evan Marks
• Walton McMurry
• Derek Morris
• Madison Perkins
• Mason Perkins
• Matt Powers
• Dustin Sewell
• Dylan Wright
• Erik Young

PERCUSSION PERFORMING ENSEMBLES

The percussion groups at Southeastern perform for a wide variety of functions and events ranging from university and community concerts, performing for schools in the southeastern Oklahoma and north Texas regions, and performing at the Oklahoma Percussive Arts Society convention each year. (These groups are open to music majors as well as non–music majors).

Percussion Ensemble: The SOSU percussion ensemble performs literature from the standard repertoire written specifically for percussion as well as arrangements of pieces ranging from the Classical literature to contemporary transcriptions of popular tunes. The group utilizes all the standard drums, keyboard percussion, and auxiliary percussion as well as electronic percussion, bass, keyboard synthesizers, and drum set.

Drumline: The SOSU Drumline is an integral part of the SOSU “Spirit of Southeastern” Marching Band and consists of 15 members for the 2004–2005 season. The group performs in the contemporary Drum Corps tradition with emphasis on precision, uniformity, and musicianship.

Middle East Ensemble: This percussion group utilizes instruments and techniques originating from the Middle–East. These instruments are most commonly used in practice to accompany and provide inspiration for Belly Dancers!

African Ensemble: The SOSU African Ensemble is another ethnic ensemble students participate in at Southeastern. This music is characterized by numerous, highly energetic rhythms combining to form a complex whole. The group performs authentic compositions derived from the musical traditions of West Africa. A new African performing group is the UDU DRUM ENSEMBLE which consists of 6 African Udu drums (essentially “clay pots”) that are accompanied by various bells and shakers.

Brazilian Ensemble: The SOSU Brazilian Ensemble is another unique ethnic ensemble that performs in the tradition of the Brazilian Carnival street parades. The type of Samba performed is called Batucada or Street Samba and the performers (and dancers) take to the streets during Carnival to celebrate and dance in groups that can number from 600–1000 members!

Mexican Marimba Ensemble: The SOSU Mexican Marimba Ensemble is another unique ethnic ensemble that performs in the tradition of the Guatemalan and Chiapan marimba groups. Many marimba groups in Mexico are comprised of entire family units and in this regard the marimba reflects the important role of the family in Mexican Society. The characteristic sound of authentic Mexican marimbas are the vibrating membranes, attached to the bottom of each resonator, that buzz when the bars are struck.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Southeastern's Musical Arts Series features nationally known chamber ensembles, concert artists, and masterclasses during which students receive individual coaching from professional musicians. Recent artists include Danny Frye (Marimba Soloist) from North Carolina, The Percussion Group Cincinnati from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Ethos Percussion Group from NYC, EasSide Percussion Group from NYC, Talujon from NYC, D’Drum from Dallas, TX, Maelstrom from NYC, Brahmah from Dallas, TX, Hands On’Semble from California, Tempus Fugit, and Velvet Brown Tuba with percussion trio. The 2007-2008 school year will feature the Nuclear Percussion Ensemble. The Nuclear Percussion Ensemble clinic and concert are scheduled for Tuesday October 16, 2007 in the Fine Arts building.

Durant is located only a short distance from the city of Dallas, Texas, home of the Dallas Symphony and the Dallas Wind Symphony. Students have the opportunity to attend professional performances of these and many other fine groups including the Sherman Symphony, located in nearby Sherman, TX.

AUDITIONS

Auditions are held during the first weekend in February for both Music Majors and Non–Majors who wish to receive a scholarship. The audition for percussionists should but does not have to include the following:

• Snare Drum
• Keyboard Percussion (xylophone/marimba)
• Timpani
• Multiple Percussion
• Drum Set

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Department of Music awards a number of scholarships and fee waivers each year to qualified students based on the student audition. These scholarships are available to Music Majors AND Non–Majors. The scholarships are renewable for four years according to the guidelines stated in the award letter, and will be reviewed at the end of each year by the appropriate faculty.