Percussion Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The Percussion Studio at UL Lafayette offers a comprehensive percussion education focusing on a strong foundation through the study of rudimental and concert snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, and drum set while offering the opportunity to gain skills on world percussion instruments within ensemble settings. The School of Music offers a wide variety of degrees in music including music education, music performance (classical), music performance (jazz), music media, and music composition. Varying percussion curricula are tailored to meet the needs of each degree. Once a student has reached a minimum proficiency on all instruments, usually by the end of the sophomore year, he or she then advances onto upper division and begins more specialized study. Music education, and classical performance majors will then focus more attention on solo and orchestral repertoire on snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, and accessories while jazz majors will focus primarily on drum set and jazz vibraphone. Music media and composition majors are given the option to focus on either classical or jazz performance practice. It is within this multifaceted environment that students become knowledgeable musicians, confident performers, skillful teachers and productive members of society who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of life.

Percussion Ensembles at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The Percussion Ensemble program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a dynamic and diverse opportunity for its percussion students. Upon the completion of auditions, the students are placed into the Percussion Ensemble and Chamber Percussion Ensemble, both groups performing music from the standard percussion ensemble repertoire. The UL Lafayette Percussion Department also offers one of the most diverse world percussion programs in the country, with performance opportunities in the Steel Drum Band, Brazilian Ensemble, Afro-Caribbean Ensemble, Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra, Japanese Taiko Ensemble, and the African Drum and Dance Ensemble. The acclaimed “Big Bang” concert is seen by over 2000 viewers every spring semester. In addition, the UL Lafayette Pride of Acadiana Drum Line is a two-time winner of the Percussive Arts Society International Convention College Drum Line Competition. Members of the UL Lafayette Drum Line have consistently been a part of virtually every DCI member corps both as marching members and staff.

The percussion program is directed by Troy Breaux.