UNT Wind Symphony, Fall 2006
"The Glory and the Grandeur" by Russell Peck Featuring Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, and Brian Zator
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__Welcome to the University of North Texas Percussion MySpace! UNT has one of the largest percussion studios in the nation and our graduates are among some of the finest players and educators in the business. The UNT Percussion Area has 14 percussion ensembles including three classical ensembles, a gamelan, two steel drum bands, two Afro-Cuban ensembles, a Brazilian ensemble, two South Indian Cross Cultural Ensembles, The Contemporary Pop Ensemble, an African Ensemble and a competition drum line. These opportunities combined with world-class jazz, wind studies and orchestral areas, allow UNT students to explore a wide variety of percussion possibilities.
Feel free to check out the photos and videos of recent performances on our campus in Denton, Texas. If you’d like further information about our program and auditions go to www.music.unt.edu/percussion.
Best wishes,
Mark Ford
UNT Percussion Coordinator
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__"The UNT Percussion department gives students performing opportunities
in several unique ensembles of the classical, jazz, and world veins.
These groups are led by world renowned educators and performers who
individually specialize in the style of the ensemble they lead. I
have learned so much about music in the past few years from the
faculty and students at UNT. The musical opportunities here are endless."
Ryan Jacobi, Senior Jazz Studies Major
"Before attending UNT I was concerned about the lack of personal instruction due to the size of the percussion studio. However, in the last four years, not once have I felt neglected or overlooked. The faculty are extremely dedicated and show genuine care for each and every student. I do not want to graduate, I will miss the UNT family."
Colin Hill, Senior Performance Major
"What makes this program so special is its' diversity. One has the opportunity to study with a wide array of renown faculty members who specialize in areas such as marimba, orchestral percussion, drumset, jazz vibes, Latin Percussion, South Indian Percussion, New Music, and Marching. One also has the opportunity to participate in the many ensembles offered including traditional percussion ensembles, Afro-Cuban ensembles, African ensembles, jazz ensembles, steel drum bands, and a Balinese Gamelan."
Jason Nicholson, Doctoral Candidate
"The UNT percussion program has provided many opportunities for me both as a performer and educator. The diverse faculty have all pushed me to become a better teacher for my own students as well. It is extremely rewarding to work alongside such talented students and faculty."
Brian Zator, Doctoral Candidate, Director of Percussion at Texas A&M University-Commerce
"The talent level all around the percussion department is amazing, but
what also impresses me is the enthusiasm that everyone has for growing
as a musician. You can learn so much about percussion (and anything
else relating to music) not just from the faculty, but from the
students themselves, who are just as excited about sharing what they
know as they are about what they can learn from you. It makes for the
most positive learning environment of which I've ever been a part."
Sam Naishtat, Sophomore Performance Major
"The music performance and educational opportunities I've experienced at UNT are far beyond what I anticipated. I have had the fortune of growing in areas such as classical, marching, and concert percussion, and gained experiences in new realms of percussion, such as steel pans, gamelan, and drum set. The quality and diversity of the faculty and sense of community in the percussion department and with other musicians is both stimulating and motivational."
Michael Yip, Senior Music Education Major
"The knowledge and experience of the faculty, the perspectives of the
guest artists and clinicians, the enthusiasm of my fellow students, and
the support of the community of Denton make UNT a fantastic environment
for musical exploration. I am continually pushed to achieve my maximum
potential and I'm having a blast!"
Tim Mabrey, Senior Performance Major
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"Now Playing"
"Off Axis", comp. by Lynn Glassock, from Mark Ford's Album, Motion Beyond.
"Special Brew", Recently recorded by the 2007 Two O' Clock Steel Band.
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