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!).
The conductor of the University Percussion Ensemble is Mathew D. Fallin, instructor of percussion at Georgia Southern University.