The percussion program at MSM is rigorous and comprehensive, and led by a world-class faculty.
The programs of study for percussion majors are designed to develop performers with strong fundamental skills and sophisticated musicianship, who can apply these skills to any musical setting: orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. The MSM approach emphasizes a synthesis of musicality and technical structure. Students will develop a deep understanding of sound production, and how it relates to bodily movement; and how these ideas connect to the performer’s musical vision. It is a thorough curriculum, preparing percussionists for any musical situation they might encounter in their future careers.
Specific courses and degree sequence plans can be found in the Course Catalog.
Procedures By Degree Level
Plan of Study: Percussion MSM Academic Catalog
Percussion Department Handbook
Christopher Lamb, Chair 917-493-4495 clamb@msmnyc.edu
She-e Wu, Consultant
Matt Ward, Percussion Operations Manager 917-493-4520 mward@msmnyc.edu
Students in the MSM Percussion Department study with the entire faculty, in a variety of settings. Weekly private lessons are taught by different teachers each week. Each student’s plan for lessons is worked out at the beginning of the semester. Depending on the individual student’s interest and needs, they may receive more or fewer lessons with a given faculty member that semester. The faculty discusses and communicates about each student and develops a lesson plan to keep track of their overall progress and development.
As part of their private-lesson program, all students will participate in these seminars. These are small group lessons taught by Chris Lamb. Level I, Percussion Skills and Concepts, is for freshman, sophomores, and first-semester graduate students. Level II, Orchestral Repertoire Seminar, is for juniors, seniors, and grad students. Level I will focus on physical movement that allows the percussionist the freedom to continually absorb new techniques required for the growing number of percussion instruments. Emphasis on how technique affects tone production will be made, and speed and control will begin to be observed. In Level II, application of the fundamentals of technique, touch, and tone production will be made to specific orchestral repertoire for all instruments, always keeping in mind the musical directives of the composer. Both classes will include a packet of material designed to guide the student in practicing the topics and ideas presented in the classes.
This is a weekly class for the entire department, taught by the full faculty, as well as guest artists. Topics can include solo performance, orchestral playing, fundamental skills, auditions, non-western styles and techniques, drumset, contemporary performance, and musical theater. Students are expected to perform regularly in the Lab class, be it a master class, workshop, or solo performance setting. Prof. She-e Wu typically leads 10 classes focused on solo performance. The Fall sessions of these classes culminate in the Marimba Project Concert, which features solo performances by the entire studio. Some years a similar Timpani Concert is held as well. Six classes, led by Rolando Morales-Matos and Wilson Torres, focus on “world drumming” – primarily Afro-Cuban hand drumming.
Recent master classes by visiting artists have included:
The Manhattan School of Music Percussion Ensemble was founded in 1957 by Paul Price. The ensemble is designed to help bridge the gap between school and professional life, with special emphasis on achieving advanced playing abilities, a high level of concentration and artistic satisfaction. The ensemble performs classic works of the Percussion Ensemble literature on a regular basis, as well as having a deep commitment to scores written solely for the ensemble. MSM’s Percussion Ensemble is known for its careful attention to detail surrounding the performance of percussion literature of the time. The ensemble holds a critical place in the wide-ranging ideology of the Percussion Department. Percussion students are required to take part in the ensemble’s concerts each year. Here is a list of some of the repertoire performed in recent seasons:
All students in the percussion department perform with Manhattan School of Music’s orchestras. Placement is determined by auditions at the beginning of each semester. All students also perform with the Percussion Ensemble, and on the Marimba Project concert. Solo recitals are required for 3rd and 4th year undergrads, and both years of a masters degree. Recitals are encouraged for most 1st and 2nd year undergrads. In addition, there are opportunities to perform with the contemporary ensemble Tactus, musical theater productions, jazz department ensembles, mixed chamber ensembles, solo recitals, composers’ concerts, and various ad hoc orchestras and other ensembles.
Orchestral Performance Program Contemporary Performance Program Jazz Arts Program
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MSM Percussion Ensemble celebrates its 60th Anniversary on March 28, 2018
“Manhattan School of Music is giving me the tools I need to become a successful musician. I’m grateful to be studying with some of the finest professors in my field.” William Hopkins Percussion, BM '21
“Manhattan School of Music is giving me the tools I need to become a successful musician. I’m grateful to be studying with some of the finest professors in my field.”
William Hopkins
Percussion, BM '21
Christopher Lamb
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