School of Music - University of Missouri

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Student Ensembles: Percussion

Percussion Ensembles

MUSteel
2007 Nebraska Game
MU Steel
See Percussion Studio web site >>

Four percussion ensembles are part of the School of Music: the University Percussion Ensemble, the Graduate Percussion Ensemble, the World Percussion Ensemble, and MUSteel - the steel drum band.

The University Percussion Ensemble (UPE) meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:00 and performs concert percussion ensemble music utilizing the standard percussion instruments. Each semester may contain an emphasis on chamber music or large ensemble music depending on the personnel of the ensemble.

The Graduate Percussion Ensemble (GPE) is open to graduate students only and focuses primarily on chamber music for three or four people. The GPE meets at an arranged time each semester depending on the student's schedules.

The World Percussion Ensemble (WPE) meets Monday from 4-6 during the winter semester only. This ensembles focuses on learning and performing music from different cultures around the world. The music is often taught by rote and contains a lot of opportunity for improvisation. Some cultures studied in the past are from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, Cuba, India, Egypt, and Latin America.

MU Steel is a full steel drum band and meets during the UPE or WPE time slot when necessary. This ensemble will perform gigs throughout the mid-Missouri region and has a full gig book of tunes ready to play when necessary. This is a popular ensemble on campus and plays several performances each semester. All ensembles require the permission of the instructor to enroll and this may include an audition depending on previous percussion experiences.