Percussion

Percussion

Percussion Area Coordinator, Dr. Patrick Roulet 

The Western Percussion Area is comprised of students from across Western's campus and centered around a community of collaboration and support in which all are welcome and encouraged to learn, explore, and create in a positive, nurturing environment. Each quarter nearly 30 percussionists participate in performing ensembles, ranging from percussion ensemble, chamber percussion groups, and drumline to jazz ensembles, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band. Percussionists seeking to develop their passion for music to a higher level may audition for entrance as a music major or minor, and follow a course of study preparing them for their musical and career goals. 

In 2018, the WWU Percussion Ensemble collaborated with solo percussionist Peter Ferry and composer Elliot Cole for The Future is Bright, a concerto for percussion soloist and percussion ensemble. The project included performances in both Bellingham and Salem, Oregon. In 2017, Western Washington University hosted the Northwest Percussion Festival, drawing university ensembles from Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho for a weekend of performances and clinics. 

Digital Drumset Lab

In addition to offering instruction on classical and world percussion instruments, the Percussion Area maintains and Digital Drumset Lab for instruction to any Western student interested in learning to play drums. The lab includes six Roland digital drumsets and electronic conference system to facilitate group drumset instruction. Please email Dr. Patrick Roulet for more information about participation and access.

Guest Artists

WWU frequently invites the world's leading percussionists and composers to campus. Recent guest artists have included Valerie Naranjo, percussionist for the Saturday Night Live Band, and The Lion King; marimbists Nanae Mimura and Kana Omori; world percussionists Dan piccolo, Barry Olsen, and N. Scott Robinson; marching percussion specialist Alan Keown; percussion ensembles Mantra Percussion and the Grammy-Award willing Third Coast Percussion Ensemble; and AcroMusical, a chamber ensemble reimagining the Brazilian berimbau.