Percussion Ensemble

The IUP Percussion Ensemble rehearses five to six hours a week and performs at least one major concert a semester.  It is dedicated to performing at a high standard a wide variety of literature chosen for its substance and pedagogical value.  Concert programs include pieces ranging from traditional to contemporary, novelty to transcriptions, and marimba ensembles to world music. Guest conductors and soloists highlight various performances.
The Percussion Ensemble also collaborates with the IUP Dance Theater for periodic productions.  In addition, members make Ragtime music or the new Caribbean Ensemble available for outreach and service situations.  While the IUP PE meets its expectations of showcasing the talent of its personnel, it also functions as an opportunity for intense learning.  By design, parts are assigned to students in areas where they are proficient and deficient.  Music is distributed in a balanced fashion so older students and younger students have a relatively equal amount of responsibility on each concert and can perform side by side. 

In an effort to showcase upperclassmen and graduate students, a new ensemble experience has recently been initiated called "Intensity."  This Percussion Chamber Ensemble is intended to be an extension of the IUP Percussion Ensemble, whose literature explores contemporary chamber music centered around percussion, occasionally incorporating other instruments.  Repertoire is performed earlier in the semester on a separate evening from the full Percussion Ensemble Concert due to the fact that smaller groups of people with sometimes large setups are involved, making it less practical to program during the same event.  "Intensity" is meant to be a premiere group performing interesting and challenging percussion chamber music at a highly artistic level.

The Ensemble has performed frequently in public schools and at regional and national conventions including the American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Conference; Music Educator's National Conference; Pennsylvania Music Educators Association; Music Teachers National Association; College Band Directors National Association; National Dance Association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; and Percussive Arts Society conventions performances that have included both the PAS Pennsylvania State Chapter conferences and the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions.  Recording projects include Whiplash and LaBamba (The O'Zone Percussion Group), and more recently, selected pieces to be released commercially as part of the HoneyRock Publishing Artistic Music Catalogue (Summer 2006).

IUP Ensembles with Percussion
Additional IUP Ensembles which utilize percussion include the Symphony Orchestra;  Concert Bands, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, and Concert Band;  Marching Band, Brass Ensemble, Music Theater, two Jazz Bands, and Jazz Combos. Percussion students also participate in other jazz groups, chamber ensembles, area orchestras, and do private teaching.