Percussion Division – Graduate Admissions

Ohio University's percussion faculty offer comprehensive study through private lessons, percussion ensembles, percussion pedagogy, and percussion literature courses.

In addition to the percussion ensemble, jazz percussion ensemble, and world music ensembles, students can further their performance skills through participation in Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble/Jazz Combos, New Music Ensemble, and Marching Band.

School of Music Ensembles

Facilities for Percussion

Eight locked rooms are devoted exclusively to percussion practice. Rooms are set up to accommodate mallet, multi-percussion, timpani, drum set, orchestral percussion, and world percussion practice. The unique physical arrangement of the teaching and practice areas, and the resulting interaction among students and faculty, creates a "percussion family" in which sharing and learning extends beyond the studio and classroom. In addition to the practice and faculty studio areas on the sixth floor of the music building, percussion is also stored in the ensemble rehearsal hall, and the large ensemble performance hall, Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

Percussion Admission & Audition Requirements

Acceptance into the Master of Music in Performance program is by audition only for all entering students.

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School of Music Graduate Audition Dates

English Proficiency Requirement

Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study.

Percussion Audition Requirements

Auditionees are encouraged to showcase the breadth and depth of their musicianship in all areas of percussion. The audition will include sight-reading on mallets and snare drum. Auditions are scheduled for 60 minutes. There will also be a brief interview for those interested in the teaching assistantship in percussion.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

We provide several options for students seeking talent-based scholarships, as well as opportunities for first-year and transfer students seeking funding for specific programs. Explore these details on the Financial Aid and Scholarships page.

Graduate Assistantships & Scholarships

The Percussion program has graduate assistantship options for performance program students. Explore the Financial Aid and Scholarships page for more information.

Contact Us

For additional information regarding audition requirements, please contact Professor of Percussion, Roger Braun at braunr@ohio.edu. 

Ohio University Jazz Percussion Ensemble

One of the first groups to blend jazz and world music with percussion, the Jazz Percussion Ensemble was originally founded by Percussion Professor Emeritus Guy Remonko in 1974. The 10-member ensemble consists of select students from the Ohio University School of Music. Emphasizing improvisation and student creativity, the group has created a unique repertoire that has gained national attention. The ensemble has performed at national conferences, including the 2003 Ohio Music Educators Association Conference and the 1999 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, as well as schools and colleges throughout the region. The group’s performances have featured many internationally recognized artists including Dave Samuels, Chris Vadala, Ted Piltzecker, Bill Molenhof, and Roland Vazquez. The group recorded a CD titled “On Fire” in the Spring of 2001.

Ohio University Percussion Ensemble 

Under the direction of Roger Braun, director of percussion studies at Ohio University, the Ohio University Percussion Ensemble performs a wide variety of music composed for percussion instruments. Repertoire includes historical pieces of the 20th century by composers such as John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Edgard Varese, and Steve Reich and recent works by composers like Christopher Rouse, Dan McCarthy, Bill Cahn, and David Gillingham. Additional repertoire includes pieces by student and local composers and percussion world music traditions. Performances by the ensemble have been featured at nationally recognized conferences as well as schools and universities around the region.