Advisement for percussion majors:
As Percussion Coordinator, Dr. Schaft serves as the principal academic advisor for all percussion majors. He will review your Banner online registration to assure your schedule is best suited to your degree pursuits. Block-out the following course times before registering for non-percussion courses:
Tues/Thurs 3:40-5:30pm, Percussion Ensemble
Fridays 12-1pm, Percussion Seminar
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Schaft before registering. He posts communications via our website and YSU e-mail. Make sure he has your current contact info via a text sent him with your name, YSU student email address, and cell phone number. You are responsible for reading postings and attending all indicated events. Please maintain a functional voice mailbox in case we need to call you.
Degree components:
Core classes - as a percussion major (instrumental music degree programs) your core courses include Applied Percussion (major instrument lessons), Music Theory, Music History and Literature, Keyboard Musicianship, Conducting, Large and Chamber Ensembles, music electives, and degree program specific classes (music ed, jazz, recording, etc.). Depending on your particular degree program emphasis, core classes total anywhere from 74 credits in the music education degree to 96 credit hours in the BM Performance degree, and comprise a majority of your total degree requirements, which typically range from 120-130 credits.
General Education Requirements: (GER) courses are typically called liberal arts requirements at other schools. At YSU, GER's total 33 credits for virtually any music degree program. First semester students should typically only enroll in one 3-credit GER class, unless otherwise advised by Dr. Schaft.
Registration: After you have discussed what courses you should register for with Dr. Schaft, see our academic advisors for the College of Creative Arts (located in the CCCA Dean’s Office, Bliss Hall 2nd floor) and they will assist you with online registration.
Undergraduate registration: A full-time undergraduate load is 12-18 credits and I typically recommend 12-15 cr. hr. your first semester, or until you get a feel for the schedule and workload (individual practice, rehearsals, and music course homework) that comprise most of your daily schedule. Further, you'll want you to earn excellent grades at this workload level before increasing it.
Typical first semester full-time (12 SH minimum) registration:
• Applied Percussion (2 SH) MUAC 1501
• one chamber ensemble (1 SH) Percussion Ensemble MUEN 0009
• one large ensemble (1 SH) Marching Band MUEN 0006
• theory (2-components: musicianship 2cr. & musicianship lab 2cr) total (4cr)
•keyboard musicianship (1 SH) MUAC 1581
•one GER course (3 SH)
After we determine this load is feasible, we may add additional ensembles or GER courses.
Register for undergraduate courses in the following order to avoid conflicts:
1. Percussion Ensemble – course code 6220, catalog number MUEN 0009. Meets Tues/Thurs 4:00-5:30pm, setup 3:40-4pm. This chamber music experience is recommended for all percussion majors concurrent with each semester of applied percussion, unless otherwise advised by Dr. Schaft. Percussion Ensemble is only open to percussion majors, unless otherwise approved by Dr. Schaft.
2. Applied Percussion – course code - 89xx. See Syllabus Article 1.5 "Applied Lesson Course Numbers” for more info. Freshmen should register for catalog number 1501 their first semester. Although there are several components to the Applied Percussion Course, but the only part that appears on your YSU Banner Class Schedule is the Percussion Seminar which meets 12-12:50pm on Fridays.
A. Private lessons — one hour weekly lesson. I will review your Banner Schedule, schedule a private lesson time, and email you a copy of my private lesson schedule several days before the first week of classes. Lessons begin the first week of classes.
B. Group lessons – Small Groups Lessons, typically 5-7 people per group. These may or not meet each semester. These groups typically include a freshmen group, and various Drumset/etc. groups. I will meet with the freshmen for a weekly group lesson and we will likely begin with snare/practice drum.
C. Percussion Seminar Class – Required for all majors. Meets Friday, 12-12:50p.m.
D. Wednesday evenings are typically used to schedule Percussion Ensemble Concerts, Percussion Studio Recitals, and Percussion Student Recitals. There will typically be 2-4 such events each semester.
3. Music Theory for all theory department information. Freshmen – pending your theory placement test score and faculty recommendations, you should enroll in either MUTC 1531 (Theory 1) or 1531N (Theory 1 Intensive) your first semester. All freshmen should also concurrently enroll in MUTC 1541 (Aural Theory 1).
4. Keyboard Musicianship – piano class. If you are admitted to Dana as a music (percussion) major, piano is considered your minor instrument. If you possess piano experience and wish to proficiency-out of any of the four required courses, please take the placement exam. If not, enroll in the first course, MUAC 1581, your first semester. Schedule your exam through the Dana Office. Exams are usually held several days before fall classes begin. The keyboard sequence should be completed during your first four semesters. Most YSU music degrees allow you to take two semesters of classical piano and two semesters of jazz piano, and I recommend this option.
5. Large Ensemble requirements and recommendations:
•The Dana School of Music requires you to enroll in at least one ensemble concurrent with each semester of applied major level lessons on your major instrument.
•Music Scholarship recipients must enroll in one large ensemble each semester in order to fulfill your scholarship requirements. In addition, I expect all music scholarship recipients to enroll in Percussion Ensemble each semester concurrently with your applied percussion studies.
•All ensemble assignments are ultimately determined via auditions the first week of Fall Semester. Initially, enroll in courses you hope to audition into. After the ensemble auditions are completed, ensemble assignments will be posted and you may adjust your registration accordingly.
•Obviously the above ensemble requirements are just degree minimums and my recommendations for each student vary depending on their degree, educational needs, capabilities, and career goals. For optimal achievement I generally recommend performance majors register for 4-5 ensembles each semester; ideally a balance of large and chamber ensembles. If you do not engage in this much music making, there is less chance we will be able to adequately prepare you for a successful performance career. Music education majors however, because they have many other degree course requirements in mued and the College of Education, must typically take fewer ensembles, if they wish to maintain a reasonable credit load and graduate in a timely manner. I typically recommend that mued majors enroll in at least two ensembles each semester of applied instruction – percussion ensemble and one other ensemble.
•Many students take GER classes during the summer to make time for more ensemble experience during the fall and spring semesters. Many of the finest performers to graduate from our studio were education majors, yet were able to play in numerous ensembles each semester, attain high GPA's, and graduate in a timely manner; evidence that this advisement has proven successful for over a quarter-century here.
•Since rudimental drumming is the core of Western percussion, be it military drumming, rudimental snare drum, marching band, drum corps, indoor drumline, orchestral percussion, drumset, multiple percussion, etc. I believe that several semesters of marching band drumline experience are highly beneficial to most any bachelor of music or bachelor of arts degree candidates, be they education, performance, jazz, recording, or otherwise, unless I personally advise otherwise. Since many education majors will likely coach drumlines, compose/arrange for drumlines, and direct marching bands in high school teaching, I believe you should register for a minimum of two years of marching band, preferably your freshmen and sophomore year. Of course, it is wise to acquire adequate collegiate playing experience before teaching high school drumlines. Entering freshmen jazz majors should enroll in Jazz Ensemble or Combo and marching band. Fortunately, the YSU marching band does not incur an excessive time commitment and is based on a synthesis of drum corps and show styles, thus providing our students varied, valuable, and marketable experiences.
•General Education Requirements (GER). You are required to earn credits as indicated on your degree curriculum guide. I recommend freshmen enroll in only one GER or GenEd course their first semester — perhaps from the Basic Skills section. A full load is 12-18 credits; 12-14 is ideal your first semester.
Graduate Studies Registration Advisement:
Schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Graduate Music Studies to discuss your registration. A full-time graduate level load must include 9 or more semester hours.
1. Register for 6900 level applied percussion 6901 or 6903 your first semester.
2. Register for Percussion Ensemble (MUEN 0009)
3. Register for MUHL 6942, Introduction To Bibliography, your first semester.
Secure all Required Supplies before classes begin.
Fall Semester Percussion Auditions: Two auditions occur the first week of fall semester the first is required of all percussion majors while the second is just recommended.
1. Large Ensemble & PE Percussion Auditions – consideration for Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Concert Band, Opera, Musical, etc. All percussion majors must take this audition unless otherwise advised by Dr. Schaft. Auditions are held the first class day of fall semester in Bliss 2234. A sign-up list and instructions are posted on my bulletin board one week beforehand. Auditions consist of sight-reading and/or prepared excerpts and are heard by the percussion/band/orchestra faculty. Auditions help faculty determine part assignments, placement, and part assignments for Percussion Ensemble and our large ensemble percussion sections. Any YSU student wishing to be considered for the above ensembles must take this audition. Percussion Ensemble is only open to percussion majors, unless otherwise approved by Dr. Schaft.
2. Drumset Auditions – Jazz Big Bands and Combos auditions are coordinated by Dr. Kent Engelhardt, Jazz Coordinator.
PASIC. Percussive Arts Society International Convention occurs, typically the second week of November, and I encourage you to attend. See PASIC for schedule and membership info. No YSU percussion classes or events are scheduled during PASIC to facilitate your attendance. Notify your professors no later than the second week of fall semester, via an excused absence request memo, of your proposed absences. This provides them ample time to consider your request and inform you of whether or not they will grant you an excused absence and how work must be made-up, or substitute players secured. I can only excuse you from our percussion courses. I can, however, provide you a memo to share with your professors explaining the benefits of attending PASIC.
Facilities, Gear, and Logistics:
· Percussion Lockers- each major should sign-out a large locker (pad lock included), located in the percussion hallway between my office and room 2240 (Bliss Hall second floor), for the 2021-22 school year. Normally, YSU charges a $25 locker rental fee, but since you already pay a $65 applied percussion course fee meant to cover percussion instrument and facility needs, we waive that rental fee.
· Practice room keys: Sign-out keys #5615 (opens all six of our third-floor practice rooms - 3001, 3112, 3113, 4114, 3115, 3116) and #5732 (open second floor 2232 storage and 2240 rehearsal/practice) from our Dana Office Admin Assistant. You must be registered for applied percussion to receive keys. Keys may be kept during the summer and over other university breaks provided you are registered for applied percussion and Percussion Ensemble the following semester.
· Drumsets and other personal instruments - Please notify me before classes begin each term, if you would like to house a drumset (or other gear (excluding snare drum and pad) in one of our practice rooms throughout the semester. After I receive all requests, I will design a plan to accommodate what goes where.
Drumline Camp
For schedule, Drumline Handbook, and audition music. Contact Dylan Kollat, BM - Drumline Instructor, mrtwister1026@yahoo.com 330.402.3696
Required and recommended materials you’ll need by the first day of classes. See my recommendations.
Published weekly studio schedule
Please review it frequently as all important studio plans are listed there.
Events calendar of guest artists, percussion ensemble concerts, faculty concerts, student recitals, etc. appears on the Events page. Please enter these dates into your calendar. I update this whenever changes occur.
