Percussion Website

Percussion at SOSU

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

The Percussion Program at SOSU is centered on and dedicated to training and developing professional educators and performers who are proficient on a wide variety of instruments, with a strong emphasis on pedagogy and musicianship. Students have the opportunity to learn and perform (through private instruction and ensemble participation) on the traditional Western instruments as well as instruments from other cultures and regions of the world.

Dr. Marc M. White
PROFESSOR OF PERCUSSION
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BANDS
NEW STUDENT COORDINATOR

  • Applied Percussion
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • SOSU Drumline
  • Executive Director of the Red River Drum & Auxiliary Camp
  • Introduction to World Music Class
  • Percussion Methods Class
  • Music Fundamentals Class
  • Percussion Literature Class
  • Percussion Pedagogy Class

D.M.A. University of North Texas

M.M. University of North Texas

B.M. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Previously taught at Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Texas, and Tarleton State University. Currently performs with Velvet Brown (tuba with percussion trio) and has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, North Carolina Theater, and a variety of commercial groups in the Dallas–Fort Worth and Raleigh–Durham areas. Former teachers include Robert Schietroma, Ron Fink, Ed Soph, Leigh Howard Stevens, Lynn Glassock, Al Payson, Michael Green, and Scott Meister.

PERCUSSION PERFORMING ENSEMBLES

The percussion groups at Southeastern perform for a wide variety of functions and events ranging from university and community concerts, performing for schools in the southeastern Oklahoma and north Texas regions, and performing at the Oklahoma Percussive Arts Society convention each year. (These groups are open to music majors as well as non–music majors).

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Southeastern’s Musical Arts Series features nationally known chamber ensembles, concert artists, and masterclasses during which students receive individual coaching from professional musicians. Recent artists include Danny Frye (Marimba Soloist), The Percussion Group Cincinnati, Ethos Percussion Group, EasSide Percussion Group, Talujon, D’Drum, Maelstrom, Brahmah, Hands On’Semble, Tempus Fugit, Velvet Brown Tuba with percussion trio, Nuclear Percussion Ensemble, Global Percussion Trio, and Taikoza.

Durant is located only a short distance from the city of Dallas, Texas, home of the Dallas Symphony and the Dallas Wind Symphony. Students have the opportunity to attend professional performances of these and many other fine groups including the Sherman Symphony, located in nearby Sherman, TX.

AUDITIONS

Auditions are held during the first weekend in February for both Music Majors and Non–Majors who wish to receive a scholarship. The audition for percussionists should but does not have to include the following:

  • Snare Drum
  • Keyboard Percussion (xylophone/marimba)
  • Timpani
  • Multiple Percussion
  • Drum Set

SCHOLARSHIPS

The Department of Music awards a number of scholarships and fee waivers each year to qualified students based on the student audition. These scholarships are available to Music Majors AND Non–Majors. The scholarships are renewable for four years according to the guidelines stated in the award letter, and will be reviewed at the end of each year by the appropriate faculty.