The Percussion Studies program at Kent State University provides students with a comprehensive foundation to develop the discipline and skills essential to becoming a professional musician or teacher.


Faculty

With a diverse and highly specialized faculty, students in the Percussion Studies Program will develop a wide range of versatile skills from the Western Classical tradition to World Music and Jazz.

Matthew Holm, Director of Percussion Studies, specialties include orchestral percussion, keyboard percussion, percussion ensemble and recital coaching. Matthew is an avid recitalist and has performed at three Percussive Arts Society International Conventions as an artist.

Dustin May earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Youngstown State University in 2012 and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University’s Hugh A. Glauser School of Music. At Kent State he specializes in teaching drum set and jazz vibraphone.

Janine Tiffe is a member of the Ethnomusicology faculty at Kent State University. In addition to her classroom teaching and active research, she co-directs the KSU African Ensemble with Kazadi wa Mukuna and directs the KSU Steel Band.

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Nearly Unlimited Performance Potential

Opportunities for percussion students abound in the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music in both major performance ensembles and in smaller, more intimate groups.

Large Performance Ensembles:

  • Kent State University Orchestra
  • Kent Wind Ensemble
  • Symphony Band
  • Marching Golden Flashes

Chamber Music and Small Ensembles:

  • Contemporary Percussion Ensemble
  • New Music Ensemble
  • Steel Band
  • African Ensemble
  • Thai Ensemble
  • Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Workshop Ensemble
  • Jazz Combos

In addition to on campus offerings, more advanced players will find numerous performing opportunities off campus including theatrical productions, local and touring artists, and regional orchestras.


Establish a Firm Foundation

Kent State University offers undergraduate programs in performance, jazz studies, music education, and music theory and composition, as well as a masters degree in percussion performance. Intensive and comprehensive, the BM and MM programs in music education and music performance attract accomplished musicians interested in pursuing music as a career. With degree coursework centered on establishing a firm foundation of performance practice, practical music knowledge and applied experience, students leave Kent State with the skills necessary to step into their first music classroom, graduate study or performance gig.  

Contact

For more information, please contact Dr. Matthew Holm, Director of Percussion Studies, at mholm2@kent.edu or 330-672-2172.

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