PERC 4801 - Percussion
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40315,
Credit hours: 2
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Glenn Schaft
Email: geschaft@ysu.edu
Course Description
Applied Percussion Courses
YSU Course Catalog, Percussion Courses: https://catalog.ysu.edu/courses/perc/
1.1: Prerequisite: An entrance audition and/or interview with the Percussion Coordinator are required for admission into applied major and minor courses.
1.2: Minor level applied lessons are intended to: prepare a student for an entrance audition into the percussion major level, for music minors, for music education majors pursuing study beyond the Percussion Methods MUAC 3763 course, for composers (non-percussionists) wishing to learn about writing for percussion.
- Permission to register for applied minor level (private lessons) must be granted by Dr. Schaft and the Dana Chair. Dr. Schaft will hold an audition/interview and make a recommendation to the Chair. Pending approval, the student may register for the recommended course.
- Each course consists of 7.5 hours of instruction, typically offered as 15 thirty-minute lessons, 7.5 one-hour lessons, or some hybrid arrangement.
- A jury performance (final exam) may be required.
- Attendances or performances at Percussion Seminar classes may be required. Attendance at Percussion Ensemble concerts is required
- Each course is one (1) semester hour (SH):
- 1500A freshman level 1500B freshman level
- 2600A sophomore level 2600B sophomore level
- 3700A junior level 3700B junior level
- 5800A senior/graduate level 5800B senior/graduate level
1.3: Major level applied studio instruction is intended for a student majoring in one of the percussion degree programs. A student may progress to the next course level by earning a course grade of "C" or higher.
1.4: The symbol (*) denotes a required degree recital course as published in the YSU ONLINE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG. Recitals are not transferable to other applied courses. Non-degree recitals are only permitted pending instructor approval and cannot be counted as degree recitals. Junior recitals cannot be counted as senior recitals.
1.5: Major level applied studio instruction courses by degree program:
Bachelor of Music in Performance:
- 1501 freshman level, 2 sh 1502 freshman level, 2 sh
- 2605 sophomore level, 4 sh 2606 sophomore level, 4 sh
- 3705 junior level, 4 sh 3706* junior level, 4 sh
- 4805 senior level, 4 sh 4806* senior level 4, sh
- Bachelor of Music; Music Education Instrumental, Music Education, Instrumental Jazz Emphasis,Bachelor of Music in Audio and Music Production:
- 1501 freshman level, 2 sh 1502 freshman level, 2 sh
- 2601 sophomore level, 2 sh 2602 sophomore level, 2 sh
- 3701 junior level, 2 sh 3702 junior level, 2 sh
- 4801* senior level, 2 sh
- Bachelor of Music; Jazz Performance Emphasis:
- 1501 freshman level, 2 sh 1502 freshman level, 2 sh
- 2603 sophomore level, 3 sh 2604 sophomore level, 3 sh
- 3703 junior level 3, sh 3704* junior level, 3 sh
- 4803 senior level, 3 sh 4804* senior level, 3 sh
Master of Music in Performance:
- 6901, 2 sh 6902, 2 sh
- 6903, 2-4 sh 6904, 2-4 sh
- 6905, 4 sh **6906, 4 sh
Major Level Applied Percussion Course Components
2.1: Private Lessons and Percussion Seminar (class). Only the Percussion Seminar (Fridays 12:00-12:50pm) appears on your Banner schedule; private lessons are scheduled by the faculty.
2.2: Private Lessons are designed to address individual needs. The Percussion Coordinator bases private lesson assignment times upon an effective schedule for his students and will accommodate student time requests whenever possible, but students must understand that it is a luxury if faculty can accommodate a student’s personal schedule, but not a responsibility, as faculty must assume student availability within the normal weekly university class schedule framework of M-F, 8AM-5PM.
- Lesson quantity: fifteen 50-minute lessons per semester and a weekly 50-minute Seminar class.
- Scheduling: The Percussion Coordinator assigns each student a private teacher and time, but these may change. Assignments are made in consideration of your past achievement, student/faculty schedules, and what we believe is best for you. The private lesson assignment schedule is posted via email the first week of each semester or anytime changes occur thereafter.
- Beginning and ending lessons: Notify your teacher of your presence by loudly knocking on my office door at your lesson time; using the rumba clave rhythm at the tempo from NG La Banda recording – “El Tragico”. It is your responsibility to notify your teacher when you must leave.
- Preparation: Daily practice is expected. Plan to warm-up for 30-minutes before lessons.
2.3: Percussion Seminar Class is a weekly studio forum (Friday 12-12:50p.m.), attendance is required. Minors may elect to attend or may be encouraged to attend by faculty.
- Curriculum typically includes lectures, discussions, faculty, student, and guest artist performances, master classes and clinics, instrument care, tuning, maintenance, research projects, and studio logistics.
- Student (major level) performances in Seminar are required at least twice each semester and occur in a masterclass format, i.e., you perform and receive critical feedback from faculty and student colleagues. Repertoire may be derived from private lessons or Dana ensembles. Masterclass protocol includes dress appropriately, bring two copies of your music - one for the instructor and one for your colleagues, number measures at the beginning of each system in pencil, video record your performance and the studio's feedback, and take notes afterwards. Review your recording and notes prior to your next private lesson.
- Students develop pedagogical skills by assessing and coaching their colleagues via written or aural assessments of studio colleagues’ performances.
2.4: Other course components:
- Attendance is required for guest artist clinics, masterclasses, student and faculty recitals and concerts, and Percussion Ensemble concerts; published on YSU percussion website “Events” tab.
- Rehearsal observation. Faculty may dedicate part of your private lessons to observing your ensemble rehearsals to diagnose your private lesson needs.
- Lesson observation. Faculty may assign you private lesson observations within the percussion or other DSM studios.
- Percussion logistics – studio instrument and facilities maintenance duties – are a necessary part of being a percussion major, are assigned by the faculty, and should be equitably shared amongst studio members.
- Required advisement meetings.
- Final exam week advisement meeting with Percussion Coordinator - self and instructor assessment, review jury committee comments, plan future studies and registration.
- Recital advisement meeting with the Percussion Coordinator, schedule one semester in advance of the required degree recital course.
- Additional advisement meetings may occur for assistance with private lesson assignments, ensemble parts, course registration, orientation, recital preparation, graduate school selection and audition preparation, career guidance, etc.
Curriculum Level Descriptions
3.1: Minor level applied lessons – 1500A-5800B. Intended to prepare a student for an entrance audition into the major level, for music education majors pursuing study beyond the Percussion Methods course, for composers wishing to study composing for percussion, or music minors. Permission to register for minor level lessons must be granted by both Dr. Schaft and the Dana Chair Dr. Schaft will conduct an audition/interview and afterwards make a recommendation to the Dana Chair, pending approval, the student may register for the recommended course.
3.2: Major level applied lessons
- Freshmen – 1501, 1502. Develop fundamental skills: general musicianship, and familiarity with instruments, techniques, and repertoire. Study concepts of practicing, memorization, sound production and technique, instrument and mallet selection, acoustics, tuning, instrument maintenance and repair, rhythm, rudiments, scales and arpeggios, reading music notation, aural skills, musical styles, improvisation, composition, and interpretation. Study beginning/intermediate level methods, etudes, solo, and chamber music repertoire on snare drum, drumset, congas, xylophone, glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone, timpani, orchestral accessories, and multiple-percussion as appropriate to your chosen degree program and career interests. Prereq: successful entrance audition.
- Sophomore – 2601, 2602, 2603, 2604, 2605, 2606 Continued refinement and expansion of freshmen curriculum. Prereq: successful completion of 1500 level.
- Junior – 3701, 3702, 3703, 3704, 3705, 3706 Study intermediate/advanced techniques, etudes, methods, solo and chamber music repertoire. Perform junior recital. Prereq: successful completion of 2600 level.
- Senior – 4801, 4802, 4803, 4804, 4805, 4806 Study advanced techniques, methods, and etudes, solo and chamber music repertoire. Perform senior recital. Lecture presentation in Percussion Seminar Class. Prereq: successful completion of 3700 level.
- Graduate – 6901, 6902, 6903, 6904, 6905, 6906. Study advanced percussion techniques and repertoire pertaining to the student’s career interests and needs. Culminates in the presentation of the graduate recital and scholarly program notes thesis document. Also includes two lecture/performance presentations in Percussion Seminar. The thesis document is due 30 days before the recital hearing date. Prereq: graduate audition.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required |
Course Reading Materials
- Percussion Handbook, 2026 ed. by Glenn Schaft, available on Blackboard or hardcopy.
- Your instructor will recommend readings pertinent to your individual course of study.
- Class readings for Percussion Seminar will be assigned.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Week 1 | Tues, Aug 25, 4-5:30PM, Studio Meeting, rm 2326 (during PE) Thur, Aug 27, 4-5:30, Bring drum pad, stand, sticks |
Private lesson - plan semester goals & repertoire Seminar - clinics, performances, & critiques Practice |
| 8/31 | Week 2 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 9/7 | week 3 9/7 Labor Day - no classes |
study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 9/14 | week 4 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 9/21 | week 5 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 9/28 | week 6 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 10/5 | week 7 |
study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 10/12 | week 8 10/14 CCCA Open House |
study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 10/19 | week 9 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 10/26 | week 10 10/28 PE Concert, BIAA 12:15PM, call time 11AM |
study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 11/2 | week 11 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar |
Practice |
| 11/9 | week 12 - PASIC (Wed-Sat) | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar if not attending PASIC |
Practice |
| 11/16 | week 13 11/17-PE Dress, 4-8PM, Ford Theater 11/18-PE Concert, Ford Theater, 7:30PM, call time 6:30PM |
study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar Jury Previews |
Practice |
| 11/23 | week 14 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar Jury Previews |
Practice |
| 11/30 | week 15 | study repertoire in private lessons clinics, performances, and critiques in Seminar Jury Previews |
Practice |
| 12/7 | Week 16 - Finals Week | Percussion Jury Exams TBA (Mon or Tues 10AM-12PM) Studio Meeting, Everyone, Fri, Dec 11, 2026, 3:15-5:15PM Individual Advisement Meetings after Juries to plan for next semester |
Practice |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.