A Note to Prospective Percussionists
Dear prospective percussionist and parents,
I have been thinking how hard it must be to try and decide on a place to go to college. I am sure you have many universities seeking your talent. Whether you are looking at percussion as a career or hobby, it is a seemingly overwhelming task to choose a place to continue your education.
If I may, I would like to take a moment and give you a TOP TEN for why I think you should at least consider BYU-Idaho and thus gain some insight as to why it is such a great place to teach and learn.
10) Multiple performance opportunities
A diverse complement of ensembles is offered to enhance your education by offering performance experiences in orchestras, concert bands, jazz ensembles, jazz combos, marching band, indoor drum line, percussion ensembles, mallet ensembles, drum circles, and an electronic percussion ensemble. Many of these groups provide student leadership roles that help prepare you for a career as a music educator.
9) Teaching opportunities
Our program is designed to provide real teaching experiences in the local public schools and on campus beginning in your sophomore year. Upper class music majors have the opportunity to teach in our music theory program, private lessons, and coaching sectionals.
8) Leadership opportunities
a) Opportunities for growth are available through ensemble leadership assignments such as serving as a section leader or rehearsing and conducting ensembles.
b) Each ensemble in the band program is represented in the Band Council, a student-run council that provides service and promotes unity within the band area of the Department of Music.
7) Teacher/student relations
The "Spirit of Ricks" is something tangible. Every faculty member cares about his/her students. You are not just a number. There is something special about addressing faculty as "Brother or Sister" rather than "Mister,” “Misses,” “Miss,” or “Doctor"!
6) Master Classes/Guest Clinicians
a) Weekly master classes provide students with a forum in which peers critique performances with both positive and constructive suggestions for improvement.
b) Percussion-specific lectures/workshops are also a part of the weekly master class.
c) Guest artists/clinicians are invited frequently to enhance the percussion experience.
5) Learning environment
Students and faculty are encouraged to seek the Spirit to assist them in learning/teaching. There really is a healthy and supportive learning environment established and maintained by students and faculty.
4) Comradery
Students help each other. Students truly care about one another and encourage each other to stick to, and achieve goals. There is an atmosphere of "friendly competition."3) Physical Facilities/Resources
a) In January of 2007 a new addition to the music building was completed, providing each student with state of the art rehearsal and practice facilities. One of the major components of the addition is an 1100 square feet percussion suite, which includes individual practice facilities for timpani, drum set, electronic percussion, multiple percussion, and keyboards as well as a 600 square feet rehearsal room.
b) The percussion area recently received a grant to upgrade our library of ensemble and solo repertoire. We have a library of over 400 works for percussion and mallet ensemble, over 1000 solos (both accompanied and unaccompanied) for snare drum, multiple percussion, marimba, vibes, timpani, and drum set, and hundreds of method books.
c) The McKay Library is constantly adding to the list of reference materials for music study including an ongoing project to purchase new titles specifically earmarked for percussion.
d) The library is also dedicated to adding to our collection of videos, DVD's, and CD's. There are currently over 400 various audio and video recordings dealing specifically with percussion topics and hundreds of recordings of great jazz artists. The list of classical recordings is extensive and provides percussionists the opportunity for extensive research.
e) A full complement of percussion instruments is at your fingertips for you to hone your performance skills. A partial list of instruments includes:
i. Marimba One 5-octave height-adjustable rosewood bar marimba
ii. Yamaha 5-octave height-adjustable rosewood bar marimba
iii. Musser 4.3-octave height-adjustable rosewood bar marimba
iv. Deagan 4-octave rosewood bar marimba
v. Adams 4-octave height-adjustable rosewood bar xylophone
vi. Musser 4-octave synthetic bar xylophone
vii. Yamaha 3.5-octave height-adjustable gold bar vibraphone
viii. Musser 3-octave chrome bar vibraphone
ix. 3 sets of orchestra bells
x. 3 concert snare drums (free floating Pearl 3.5", 5.5" and 8")
xi. a full set of orchestral suspended cymbals (Sabian AAX 15", 16", 17", 18", & 20")
xii. 9 drum kits for every style from rock and roll to a small 3 piece jazz combo
xiii. a full complement of hardware and cymbals for every style and genre (drum kits)
xiv. a set of 5 Yamaha timpani with Remo Renaissance heads
xv. a set of 4 Pearl timpani with Remo Renaissance heads
xvi. a set of 4 Adams portable timpani
xvii. numerous accessory percussion instruments
xviii. a 4-octave set of choir chimes
xix. 2 sets of chimes
xx. a variety of Latin percussion instruments including 3 sets of conga
xxi. a set of 7 roto-toms
xxii. a fully equipped hand drum ensemble including 5 djembes and 3 djun-djuns.
xxiii. 4 malletKat 4-octave keyboards
xxiv. a Roland V-drum drum set
xxv. a fully-equipped electronic studio for items 23 and 24 above
xxvi. a fully-equipped drum line with battery including 5 basses, 4 tenors, 5 snares and 4 pr. marching cymbals and front line equipment including vibes, xylophone, bells, marimba and various accessory instruments.
2) Cooperative Faculty
As faculty we recognize what a blessing it is to be involved with such a marvelous institution. This university and faculty are unique in our commitment to work together. There are few music faculties I am aware of where every member of the music faculty strives to work together for a common goal. The vocal area TALKS to the string area, etc. etc. It truly is a blessing to witness the cooperation amongst faculty, which translates into a more positive environment for students to grow.
1) BYU-Idaho Mission Statement
The best reason to attend BYU-Idaho is our strong commitment to helping students strengthen personal testimonies in the Lord Jesus Christ. Being able to foster an environment in which the Spirit is invited to help increase the learning capacities of each student is something unsurpassed anywhere. As a Department of Music we have spent a great deal of time in the creation of a mission statement. It is included as a summary of the top ten reasons listed above:
The mission of the Brigham Young University-Idaho Department of Music is to:
1. Use the divine gift of music to further the Lord’s work and support the mission of this university.
2. Teach students to understand, value, and create music that is virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy.
3. Prepare students for successful music-related careers and for lifelong musical learning.
4. Help students strive for musical excellence as a model for their pursuit of excellence in life. Help students become anxiously engaged in using their musical gifts to strengthen the Church, their families, and their communities.
I urge you to prayerfully consider your options for a college education. Above all, it is most important that you attend the college the Lord needs you to attend. If that means coming to Brigham Young University-Idaho, we'd be honored, pleased, happy and thrilled! If that means attending another institution, we wish you the very best and pray that you will find success.
May the Lord bless you as you make this important decision.
Sincerely,
David L. Taylor, D.M.A.
Director of Percussion Studies, BYU-Idaho
Snow 174
Rexburg, ID 83460-1210
e-mail: taylord@byui.edu
phone: (208) 496-1291