School of Music

AREAS OF STUDY - PERCUSSION
OPPORTUNITIES

DePauw Percussion Ensemble
The DePauw Percussion Ensemble is a chamber music group open to percussionists by audition. Music majors and liberal arts students are welcome to  audition. The ensemble performs contemporary music of many styles, ranging from ragtime and jazz to “classic” works and the newest works composed by composers from all over the world. Playing in the Percussion Ensemble helps students to become effective chamber music players, and to learn contemporary playing techniques and musical styles. In addition to a major concert on campus each semester, the Percussion Ensemble also performs in the Percussion at Peeler series in the Peeler Art Gallery, plays run-out concerts at area high schools, and appears at other events. In January 2007 – the DePauw Percussion Ensemble will tour Central Europe.


DePauw Symphony Orchestra
The DePauw University Orchestra, one of the oldest university orchestra programs in the United States, maintain an active schedule. The DePauw Symphony Orchestra, an all-undergraduate organization, focuses on performing and reading music of the standard repertoire creating a four-year overview that is a cross-section of music including most style periods, regional influences and genres. The DePauw Symphony Orchestra won an ASCAP Award for “Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music” in 1991. It was featured in May and June of 1996 on USAirways in-flight program “Ovation” performing works of Stravinsky, Mussorgsky and Grieg.

The Orchestra not only performs its own concerts (often broadcast live on WGRE-FM and the Internet), it plays for DePauw Opera productions, accompanies student Concerto Winners, and performs with the University Choirs with faculty and guest soloists. Conducting class and Orchestration class students also have benefit of time working with the DePauw Symphony Orchestra.


DePauw Jazz Ensembles
DePauw Jazz Ensembles perform on campus and in concert venues throughout Indiana, including combo performances in a club setting. Top artists regularly visit campus to perform with our ensembles and give master classes. All ensembles, classes, and master classes are open to all students on campus regardless of major. If you are searching for an environment in which you will learn how to play throughout all four years, and where you will graduate with a degree that opens doors, DePauw University and the Jazz Studies Program (an area of concentration leading to a minor) is for you! Recent guest artists include: Bobby Shew, Jamey Aebersold, David Baker, John Fedchock, Lynne Arriale, Steve Davis, David Berkman, Joe Wilder, Mike Longo, Jim Snidero, Bob Mintzer, and Joe Lovano.


DePauw University Band
The DePauw University Band is a select ensemble of woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians, chosen by audition. Its repertoire is selected from a wide variety of high-quality literature for symphonic band and wind ensemble. The University Band presents five to six concert performances each year. In addition, the ensemble has been recognized internationally for its renowned CD Recording Project, an artistic endeavor dedicated to recording quality wind literature and highlighting the talents of DePauw University musicians.

For further information, contact:
Amy Lynn Barber, Professor
School of Music
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN 46135
765-658-6638; albarber@depauw.edu