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
  • Jazz Studies
  • Jazz Percussion
  • Marching Band (Drumline)

Shilo.Stroman@colostate.edu

Percussion Events

CSU Percussion Ensemble Festival Concert

April 27, 2024 at 6:00 PM
With Guest Artist Sandi Rennik Students of the internationally ranked Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eric Hollenbeck, present the capstone percussion concert of the year, featuring special guest, Sandi Rennick. Ms. Rennick is a percussionist and marimba soloist with extensive performing and teaching experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and throughout the U.S. An original [...]

World Percussion Ensemble Concert

May 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM
The concert features percussion music from around the globe performed on steel pans by the RamPan Band and the GoldPan Band. The Brazilian Ensemble, Afro Cuban Ensemble, Civil Rope Drum Ensemble, Mexican Marimba Band, and our 1930’s George Hamilton Green Xylophone Ragtime Band join the performance. The percussion area is under the direction of Dr. [...]

2024 CSU Percussion Camp

June 6, 2024 - June 7, 2024 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 mallet), Timpani, Snare Drum, and Drum Set as well as insight on applications, scholarships, equipment, and skills in being a college student.

Percussion News

album cover

Music professor releases album of contemporary clarinet music composed and performed by colleagues

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Colorado State University clarinet professor, Wesley Ferreira, has released an album featuring selections of clarinet music by composer James M. David; Dr. David is the composition professor for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Contemporary Clarinet Music was released on the OClassica European classical music record label. There are a host of Ferreira’s CSU […]

University Symphony Orchestra Fall 2020 Performance photo

Music returns to Griffin Concert Hall

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It was an emotional moment when the University Symphony Orchestra (strings and percussion) took the Griffin Concert Hall stage and played the first concert at the University Center for the Arts in six months. The concert was conducted by Wes Kenney and graduate conducting student, Andrew Mendizabal. Maestro Kenney spoke several times during the concert, conveying how […]

2020 Wind Symphony group photo on Griffin Concert Hall stage

Strike Up the Bands! American Bandmasters Association Free Concerts

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The American Bandmasters Association is holding its 2019 national convention on March 6-10 at the Embassy Suites Loveland Hotel & Conference Center. This is the first time the annual convention has been held in Colorado since the inception of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) in 1930. Rebecca Phillips, director of bands at Colorado State University […]

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

Percussion Ensemble

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.

Instruments

Bells / Xylophones / Vibes

Adams Alpha Vibe pictured
Adams Alpha Vibe
Pictured Adams Vibe
Adams Vibe
Pictured Adams Bells
Adams Bells
Pictured Fall Creek Bells
Fall Creek Bells
Pictured Adams Concert Xylophone
Adams Concert Xylophone
Pictured Musser Bells
Musser Bells
Pictured Adams Soloist Xylophone
Adams Soloist Xylophone
Pictured Mallet Kat
Mallet Kat
Pictured Yamaha Low C Vibe
Yamaha Low C Vibe

Chimes

Pictured Adams Chimes
Adams Chimes
Pictured Musser Chimes
Musser Chimes

Marimbas

Adams Alpha Marimba pictured
Adams Alpha Marimba
Pictured Musser M250
Musser M250
Pictured Adams Classic Marimba
Adams Classic Marimba
Pictured Marimba One Marimba
Marimba One Marimba
Pictured Marimba
Marimba One, Marimba #2

Snare Drums

Pictured Pearl 2.5" 'Pancake' Snare Drum
Pictured Pearl Phil 36" Mahogany Bass Drums
Pearl Phil 36" Mahogany Bass Drums
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic Maple 5" Snare Drum
Pearl Philharmonic Maple 5" Snare Drum
Pictured Grover Field Drum
Grover Field Drum
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 4" Snare Drum
Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 4" Snare Drum
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic Solid Maple 5" Snare Drum
Pearl Philharmonic Solid Maple 5" Snare Drum
Pictured Leedy Field Drum
Leedy Field Drum
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 6.5" Snare Drum
Pearl Philharmonic Aluminum 6.5" Snare Drum
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic Maple 6.5" Snare Drum
Pearl Philharmonic Maple 6.5" Snare Drum
Pictured Ludwig Field Drum
Ludwig Field Drum
Pictured Pearl Philharmonic 14 x 12" Field Drum
Pearl Philharmonic 14 x 12" Field Drum
Pictured Slingerland Tenor Drum
Slingerland Tenor Drum

Drum Kits

Pictured Pearl Big Band Drum Kit
Pearl Big Band Kit
Pictured Yamaha Drum Kit
Yamaha Kit
Yamaha Stage Custom Kit pictured
Yamaha Stage Custom Kit

Timpani

Pictured Adams Philharmonic Timpani
Adams Philharmonic Timpani
Pictured Adams Pro. Gen. II Timpani
Adams Pro. Gen. II Timpani
Pictured Ludwig Timpani Drums
Ludwig Timpani
Pictured Yamaha Timpani Drums
Yamaha Timpani

Guest Artists

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

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

No pre-screen video is required.

Sight reading: expect to read on marimba and snare drum.

All applicants must perform in all listed major areas; please see below. The repertoire below is only a suggestion; please contact Dr. Hollenbeck directly if you have any questions concerning the appropriate repertoire.

  • Snare Drum: Etudes by Delecluse, Cirone, etc., orchestral excerpts (two).
  • Marimba: 2 or 4 mallet solo transcription – J.S. Bach
  • Marimba: 4 mallet solo - by Druckman, Thomas, Schwantner, Burritt, Ewazen, etc.
  • Timpani: Etudes/Solos by Delecluse, Carter, etc., choose two standard orchestral excerpts.
  • Xylophone: Choose two standard orchestral excerpts.
  • Drum Set: Optional--demonstrate proficiency in different styles (swing, Latin, funk, etc.).

PLEASE learn all entrances for your chosen orchestral excerpts.