Percussion Area

Overview

The percussion program at Colorado State University is a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The percussion curriculum is designed to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, cultural awareness, and technological literacy in both performance and pedagogy. Regardless of degree concentration, the percussion curriculum creates periods of study that are curriculum driven and periods that are student driven, based on the individual student’s interests, goals, and needs. Graduate students may choose to specialize in one or more areas as they work toward degree recital requirements.

The goal of percussion studies is to provide professional-level experiences and opportunities for all students that will foster growth through self-discipline, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Successful students will embrace these challenges and others as they develop a passion for life-long learning that will lead to a rewarding career.

The Percussion Studio averages 18–22 students.

Study With

Eric Hollenbeck

Professor of Music, Percussion
Coordinator of Percussion

Eric.Hollenbeck@colostate.edu

Shilo Stroman

Senior Instructor of Music
Percussion
Jazz Drum Set

Shilo.Stroman@colostate.edu

Percussion Events

Percussion Solo and Ensemble Competition and Festival

Percussion Camp

2026 CSU Percussion Camp

June 1, 2026 - June 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Percussion Camp for high school students includes instruction on how to successfully prepare and audition to become a collegiate music major. The workshop focuses on the four primary percussion instruments: Mallets (2 and 4 mallets), Timpani, Snare Drum, and Drum Set, as well as insight into applications, scholarships, equipment, and skills in being a college student.

June 1, 2026 - June 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Spend a week honing your craft on the beautiful CSU campus! Auditioned students will perform a solo in our beautiful Recital Hall. Participants will also take voice lessons with CSU faculty, and participate in workshops, masterclasses, and talkbacks, including 'Conquering the College Audition.

2026 Organ Week at Colorado State University

June 7, 2026 - June 11, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Organ Week is designed for high school students interested in expanding (or beginning) their organ study. Led by a faculty of prominent concert and church organists, the program features one-to-one instruction, masterclasses, and recitals on the finest pipe organs in northern Colorado, including CSU’s Casavant organ.

Organ Week Concert: Joel Bacon and Jason Moy- <em>Other Keyboards: Eclectic Music for Harpsichord, Organ, Toy Piano, and Melodica</em>

Organ Week Concert: Joel Bacon and Jason Moy- Other Keyboards: Eclectic Music for Harpsichord, Organ, Toy Piano, and Melodica

June 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM

To open Organ Week Joel Bacon and Jason Moy perform an exciting joint recital on a battery of keyboard instruments: harpsichord, chamber organ, toy piano, and melodica. This fascinating program will include, alongside early keyboard works of the Baroque, the world premiere of “Suite for Joel’s Toy Piano” by German composer Michael Grill, and the [...]

Organ Week Recital: Ken Cowan and Beverly Everett / FREE

June 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Two concert organists, Ken Cowan and Beverly Everett, play a joint recital on the famed Marcussen organ of First United Methodist Church. Powerful Romantic and symphonic works on the program will include the monumental Sonata on the 94th Psalm by Julius Reubke. Fans of majestic organ music won’t want to miss hearing these virtuosi play! [...]

Organ Week Concert: Joel Bacon, Ken Cowan, and Lisa Shihoten- <em>Music of J.S. Bach</em> / FREE

Organ Week Concert: Joel Bacon, Ken Cowan, and Lisa Shihoten- Music of J.S. Bach / FREE

June 9, 2026 at 7:30 PM

This program celebrates the beauty of Bach’s organ works on an instrument perfectly suited to them, the Phelps organ of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. In addition to famous solo works, the program will include Bach’s C Minor Violin Sonata, BWV 1017, played by violinist Lisa Shihoten. Joel Bacon will perform two “new” works, recently attributed [...]

June 10, 2026 - June 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Join CSU Jazz Faculty Wil Swindler, Peter Sommer, Seth Lewis, Gabriel Santiago, David Mesquitic, and more for the 5th annual CSU Jazz Summer Workshop. The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and focus on small-group jazz playing and improvisation. Students will also study jazz history, listening, and theory, and attend instrument-specific masterclasses. Full schedule details will be released after registration closes.

Organ Week Concert: Todd Wilson, Solo Organ Recital / FREE

June 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Organ Week travels to Greeley with a recital by world-famous organist Todd Wilson (Cleveland Institute of Music). The newly restored 1967 Casavant organ at Trinity Episcopal Church will provide audiences the opportunity to hear another instrument designed by Lawrence Phelps, the famed organ builder behind the organs at CSU and St. Luke’s in Fort Collins. [...]

Organ Week Student Recital / FREE

June 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM

The final day of Organ Week always includes a recital with our high school participants. Come hear what they learned during the week and be inspired by the next generation of organists! Location: First United Methodist Church

Organ Week Closing Concert: Maurice Steger, Recorder, Jason Moy and Joel Bacon, Harpsichord and Organ

June 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Maurice Steger, the “Paganini of the Recorder,” returns to Fort Collins for a thrilling recital of Baroque music. His sold-out performances in prior Organ Weeks have astonished and captivated audiences with a mixture of dazzling virtuosity and creative musicality. With chamber organ and harpsichord by Jason Moy and Joel Bacon, this trio is sure to [...]

2026 Colorado Harp Seminar

June 14, 2026 - June 20, 2026 at 12:00 AM

The Colorado Harp Seminar is a weeklong immersive opportunity for high school and undergraduate pedal harpists, with a distinct focus on musician wellness. Directed by faculty member Kathryn Harms at Colorado State University, the seminar is designed to support, inspire, and nurture both excellent musicianship and personal growth. Students receive private lessons and participate in harp ensemble, masterclasses, and interactive workshops throughout the week.

2026 Colorado Kodály Institute (CKI)

July 11, 2026 - July 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM

CKI is a dynamic training center for elementary classroom music teachers, independent music instructors, and secondary music teachers interested in taking their teaching, conducting, musicianship, and depth of knowledge about music education to new heights. Students from across the U.S., Mexico, Korea, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia are involved in the annual summer seminar.

Concert Version: The Music Man by Meredith Wilson

July 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Students in the Colorado State University Summer Conducting Seminar, the residency component of CSU’s Master of Music, Music Education – Conducting Specialization, present a concertized version of The Music Man, by Meredith Wilson, in the annual summer seminar final performance.

2026 Colorado Cello Intensive

July 26, 2026 - August 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM

The Colorado Cello Intensive is a week-long program designed to maximize technical, musical, and personal growth. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1, the Colorado Cello Intensive (CCI) is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. We believe in the work hard, play hard mentality and offer students an array of evening possibilities, including hiking, concerts, and more. Surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Fort Collins, Colorado, CCI is the ideal location to develop your playing this summer!

2026 International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival, USA

August 3, 2026 - August 7, 2026 at 12:00 AM

The International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A., is a summer piano competition and festival featuring more than a dozen guest artists and pianists in the LIVE Semifinal and Final Rounds of the Olympic-styled Odyssiad® competition, Group Masterclasses and Young Artist Development Sessions with master teachers and judges, and riveting evening concerts by international piano competition medalists and world-renowned guest artist pianists.

2026 Alumni Band at CSU Homecoming and Family Weekend

October 3, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Saturday, October 3 | Homecoming Weekend, Save the Date for Alumni Band

2026 CSU High School Honor Band Festival

October 9, 2026 at 12:00 AM

The annual CSU Honor Band Festival brings together the finest high school musicians in the Rocky Mountain Region, selected from hundreds of applicants throughout the western region; the three-day festival takes place at the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

2026 CSU High School Honor Band Festival

December 10, 2026 - December 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Percussion News

CSU Percussion Ensemble receives national recognition at PASIC

By Jennifer Clary | Jan 5, 2026

The Colorado State University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Eric Hollenbeck, receives national recognition at PASIC.

2025 Fossil Ridge High School Percussion Ensemble

2025 CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival

By Jennifer Clary | Apr 30, 2025

The CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival features a concert and a presentation to the participating ensembles of the Percussive Arts Society Percussion Ensemble Festival. The annual event was held on Saturday, April 26 at the University Center for the Arts. Participating high schools included Fossil Ridge High School, Loveland High School, Cherry Creek High School, and […]

Colorado State University Wind Symphony to embark on prestigious concert tour of Spain this March

By Jennifer Clary | Feb 19, 2025

Bon Voyage Concert Tickets The Colorado State University Wind Symphony is honored to announce its invitation to perform in Spain this March. After receiving acclaim for their recordings, the ensemble has been invited by the “Grenadine Federation of Bands,” led by Oscar Musso, to participate in a collaborative concert tour spanning three major cities: Madrid, […]

Ensembles

Percussion Ensemble

The Percussion Ensemble performs a variety of traditional and contemporary works on a wide variety of instruments. Ensemble membership is required for all percussion majors as it is integral to the development of a contemporary percussionist. The CSU Percussion Ensemble was the 2019 winner of the highly competitive PAS "Call for Tapes" and performed a highly acclaimed showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis. The CSU Percussion ensemble was also chosen to perform at PASIC in 2010 for the New Music Literature Session.

Directed by Eric Hollenbeck
Music majors and minors only

RamPan Band

This group specializes in the music of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as popular and jazz standards.

Marching Band Drumline

The drumline is a key component of the CSU Marching Band. It takes individual and ensemble playing skills to be successful in the drumline.

Faculty Advisor: Shilo Stroman.

Bells / Xylophones / Vibes

Adams Alpha Vibe

Adams Vibe

Adams Bells

Fall Creek Bells

Adams Concert Xylophone

Musser Bells

Adams Soloist Xylophone

Mallet Kat

Yamaha Low C Vibe

Chimes

Adams Chimes

Musser Chimes

Marimbas

Adams Alpha Marimba

Musser M250

Adams Classic Marimba

Marimba One Marimba

Marimba One, Marimba #2

Snare Drums

Pictured Pearl 2.5" 'Pancake' Snare Drum

Pearl Phil 36" Mahogany Bass Drums

Pearl Philharmonic Maple 5" Snare Drum

Grover Field Drum

Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 4" Snare Drum

Pearl Philharmonic Solid Maple 5" Snare Drum

Leedy Field Drum

Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 6.5" Snare Drum

Pearl Philharmonic Maple 6.5" Snare Drum

Ludwig Field Drum

Pearl Philharmonic 14 x 12" Field Drum

Slingerland Tenor Drum

Drum Kits

Pearl Big Band Kit

Yamaha Kit

Yamaha Stage Custom Kit

Timpani

Adams Philharmonic Timpani

Adams Pro. Gen. II Timpani

Ludwig Timpani

Yamaha Timpani

Guest Artists

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

2010-2011

2009-2010

2008-2009

2007-2008

2006-2007

2005-2006

2004-2005

2003-2004

Guest Artist and Poster Gallery

Auditions

Undergraduate Auditions

PLEASE NOTE: VIRTUAL AUDITIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PERCUSSION APPLICANTS. PERCUSSION AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON ONLY.

No pre-screen video is required.

Freshman Audition Requirements:

Snare drum: Contest solo from Peters, Cirone, Wilcoxon, Whaley, or the equivalent.
Mallet Percussion: Major/Natural Minor/Harmonic Minor Scales 2 octaves, Contest solo or etude for 2 mallets AND a contest solo or etude for 4 mallets.
Timpani: Contest solo or etude for at least 3 drums that includes rolls
Drum set (optional, but recommended): A demonstration of basic styles, i.e., Swing (trade 4’s), Latin, Rock.

Additional Requirements for Freshman Audition:

Snare drum rudiments from the PAS 40 Rudiments performed open-closed-open. Sight-reading on mallets.

Transfer Audition Requirements (demonstrate the following areas):

Snare drum: Etudes reflecting a concert and rudimental approach, i.e., Concert: Peters, Delecluse, Cirone: Rudimental: Wilcoxon; Pratt or equivalent.
Mallet Percussion: J.S. Bach transcription (2 or 4 mallet)
Four-Mallet suggested repertoire: Burritt: October Night, Deane: Etude for a Quiet Hall, Dietz: Madison’s Unicorn, Edwards: Marimba Dances, Klatzow: Inyanga, Sammut: Four Rotations, Smadbeck: Virginia Tate, Tanaka: Two Mvts. For Marimba, Stasack: Six Elegies Dancing, Stout: Astral Dance, Yoshioka: Suites 1-3
Timpani: Etude or Solo i.e., Delecluse, Hochrainer, Carter, or equivalent.
Drum Set: (demonstration of basic Swing, Rock, and Latin styles as listed below, and trade fours in each style)

Additional Requirements for Transfer Audition:

Snare drum rudiments from the PAS 40 - open/closed/open
Major and minor (natural, harmonic) scales (two octaves)
Sight-reading on mallets and snare drum

Graduate Auditions