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Percussion

Percussion ensemble

The Radford University Percussion Ensemble is required of full-time music students in the percussion studio. The ensemble focuses on chamber percussion works from all time periods and rarely performs with a conductor so as to gain a truly immersive chamber music experience. 

The Radford University Percussion Ensemble frequently performs off campus, including a performance at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke each semester. The ensemble also travels to perform at conferences and festivals, including the 2012 International Percussion Ensemble Week in Croatia, as well as the 2010 Virginia Music Educators State Conference (the group was selected through a tape submission process).  We also performed at PAS Days of Percussion most recently in Washington, D.C. We have also performed at BUMfest International Percussion Ensemble Festival 2018, the Kennedy Center Washington DC,  the Percussive Arts Society International Chamber Competition, the McCormick Marimba Festival 2016 and 2020,  PAS Days of Percussion Virginia and North Carolina, and the North Carolina Percussion Symposium. The ensemble has shared the stage with notable performers such as Michael Burritt, Anders Åstrand, Bob Becker, Bill Cahn, Maraca2 and Matt Coley.

Previous Guest Artists

  • Amadinda Percussion (Hungary) 
  • Amphion Percussion
  • Anders Åstrand (Twice)
  • Anders Elten (Denmark)
  • Andy Harnsberger
  • Balkan Duo (Eastern Europe)
  • Bill Cahn
  • Bob Becker
  • Dendrocopos Duo (Slovenia)
  • Frozen Earth Duo
  • Gordon Stout
  • Jay Ritchie (Detroit Symphony)
  • John Kilkenny
  • John R. Beck
  • John Riley
  • Kana Omori (Japan)
  • Kenny Hogan
  • Line Upon Line Percussion
  • Maraca 2 (UK)
  • Matthew Coley
  • Michael Burritt (Twice)
  • Ndugu Chancler
  • So Percussion (Twice)
  • Steve Fidyk
  • Third Coast Percussion (Twice)
  • Thomas Burritt
  • Tom Teasley
  • Wes Crawford

New Percussion Equipment 2010- Present

  • Adams Concert Chimes
  • Adams Philharmonic Light Timpani
  • Gretch Catalina Club Drum Set
  • Gretsch New Classic Bop Drum Set
  • New Hand Selected Sabian Concert Cymbals
  • Pearl Philharmonic Snare Drums (5)
  • Yamaha 2700 Gold Bar Vibes
  • Yamaha 2700 Silver Bar Vibes
  • Yamaha 9000 Series Concert Toms
  • Yamaha 2700 Silver Bar Vibes
  • Yamaha 5100 Marimba (2)
  • Yamaha Concert Bass Drum 18x4
  • Yamaha Glockenspiel
  • Yamaha Pedal Glockenspiel
  • Yamaha Rosewood Xylophone
  • Yamaha Symphonic Timpani Hammered Shells

Percussion Studio

Mission Statement

The Percussion Program at Radford University strives to provide students with a comprehensive education in percussion and music, working towards the goal of preparing students with the necessary skills and knowledge that are required to succeed in today’s competitive music market. 

Lessons

Each student receives a one‐hour lesson per week from the instructor. The lessons cover a broad range of topics and techniques related to the percussive arts, with the ultimate goal being the creation of a student who is versatile and knowledgeable in both the technical and pedagogical aspects of percussion. The freshman and sophomore years are largely guided by the instructor, as there are core technical abilities that are critical to each student’s success. As the student continues and grows throughout their time at Radford, they take over the decision making process and the instructor becomes more of an accessory, helping to guide their decisions as well as offering the necessary insight both musical and otherwise to achieve their goals.

Sample Freshman Percussion Curriculum

1. Snare Drum

2. Introduce “six stroke” method along with basic positioning and mechanics

  • Staccato, legato, accent tap, multiple bounce, control bounce, upstroke)
  • Use mirror from various angles
  • metronome
  • Introduce specific concert drumming technique buildersie Doug Howard exercises, Erik Forrester exercises
  • Alternative grip styles
  • Buzz roll development
  • Flam development
  • Sound/Timbre awareness

3. Relate “strokes” to Rudiments by category: single strokes, rolls,

  • Diddles, flams, and drags

4. “Syncopation” by Ted Reed

  • Natural sticking concept
  • Audible counting
  • Alternative notation

5. “Modern School for Snare Drum” by M. Goldenberg

  • Apply concert drumming techniques to solo/etude based literature
  • Beginning preparation for excerpts

6. “Modern Swing Solos for the Advanced Drummer” 

 Rehearsal Rooms

The percussion department has six dedicated practice rooms, as well as access to Dr. Sanderl's office in the evening hours. In the last three years, the percussion program has acquired over $40,000 in new percussion equipment, including a new xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone, five octave marimba, set of five timpani and chimes. The program has three 5.0 octave marimbas, three sets of timpani available for students to use along with the other equipment.

During the evening hours, percussion students also have acces to both large ensemble rooms in the Covington Center for ensemble or multiple percussion practice. With a studio average of 16 students, practice space is usually available at all times. The percussion ensemble performs in the 350-seat, state-of-the-art Performance Hall in the Covington Center, which is located only a few feet from the practice rooms.

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