Percussion Studies at Georgia Southern

block_picPrivate lesson instruction in percussion is available for academic credit at the University. Lessons include instruction in all areas of percussion: snare drum, mallet keyboard, timpani, drum set, auxiliary instruments, and hand percussion. Instruction is geared toward preparing students for solo percussion performance, as well as strengthening performance quality in ensembles.

There are many ensembles in which to participate including the Southern Pride Marching Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble(s), Hoop Troop Basketball Pep-Band, and the OASIS Community Band. In addition to these, the University Percussion Ensemble also affords students the opportunity to perform a variety of musical genres.

Georgia Southern University Percussion Ensemble

The Georgia Southern University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Matthew D. Fallin, meets twice a week and is an integral part of the student's musical growth and experience. Its focus is a broad repertoire encompassing many styles of percussion literature including transcriptions, popular music, and a variety of percussion ensemble staples.

Students performing in the percussion ensemble are exposed to a different type of ensemble participation usually not found in a Symphonic Band or Orchestral experience. The results are much more attention to execution and the individual sounds being produced by the percussion instruments due to the soloistic role they play in this particular setting. As a result, students are usually able to perform better in a full ensemble and are able to have a better understanding of how their particular part fits into the larger whole of a piece.

Percussion as a discipline lends itself to a wide variety of international styles and it is important for students studying percussion to be aware of these styles. Creativity and improvisation are highly encouraged (in the appropriate settings, of course!).
   
Georgia Southern University Percussion Faculty

    Fallin   Dr. Matthew D. Fallin (Percussion, Percussion Ensemble,
Southern Pride Marching Band, Hoop Troop Basketball Band)