School of Music & Theater

Ten PSU Percussion students sitting in a semicircle playing a variety of drums and triangles, with their teacher sitting in the middle playing Indian tablas.

Percussion

The PSU Percussion Studio at Portland State University is an engaging, immersive, and supportive community. We balance individualized instruction with real-world career preparation, giving students hands-on experience in performance and recording. Here, you'll study alongside versatile, experienced faculty who cover a diverse range of percussion styles and techniques. We also offer master classes in percussion.

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Percussion Ensembles

PSU provides a variety of performance opportunities for percussionists, spanning classical, contemporary, and global traditions.

  • PSU Percussion Ensemble and Percussion Group Portland State: Two groups that focus exclusively on modern percussion literature and regularly represent PSU at regional festivals.
  • Bands: Includes the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, University Band, Jazz Band and Jazz Combos where percussionists provide the rhythmic foundation for both classic and modern literature.
  • Orchestra: The PSU Symphony Orchestra offers professional-level experience, featuring percussionists in diverse programming ranging from classical staples to contemporary premieres.
  • Gamelan: A traditional Indonesian ensemble composed of tuned gongs and metallophones, offering hands-on experience with non-Western scales and communal performance.
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Real World Experience

The PSU Percussion area has an ongoing partnership with Tapspace Publications, a leading publisher of percussion sheet music and educational materials. In collaboration with Tapspace, PSU Percussion performs pieces that are professionally filmed (see video examples below) and posted to the Tapspace website so educators and musicians can listen to the sheet music performed. Read more about this collaboration.

 

 

Percussion Faculty

Jonathan Greeney (timpani, orchestral percussion)
Dr. Rose Martin (contemporary percussion)
Christopher Brown (Jazz Drumset)
Mindy Johnston (Gamelan)
Dr. Chris Whyte (Percussion Area Coordinator)

A man smiling and holding a drum

Chris Whyte

Percussion Area Coordinator

Chris Whyte is the head of the Percussion Department at Portland State University. Whyte holds degrees from the University of Oregon (B.M., M.M.), and Boston University (D.M.A.). He has performed and taught internationally and throughout the United States.

Contact Chris

Recent Guest Artists

In addition to weekly lessons and ensemble activities, the PSU Percussion Studio regularly hosts renowned guest artists (shown below) who broaden and expand ideas about musicianship, technique, and career possibilities for percussion studio members.

Ìkan Ìpàkó Duo
Orphic Percussion
Tambuco Percussion
Andy Akiho
Garrett Arney
Dr. Josiah Boornazian
Dr. Thomas Burritt
Sergio Carreno
Jim Casella
Courtney Danley

Gwendolun Dease
Marilyn De Olivera
Niel DePonte
Brad Dutz
Matthew Duvall
Chester Englander
Dr. Colin Hill
Luanne Warner Katz
Matthew Keown
Dr. John Lane

Dr. Terry Longshore
Allen Otte
Dan Piccolo
Dr. Mark Ramírez
Lucy Ritter
Michael Roberts
Matt Savage
Ivan Trevino
Jason Treuting
Dr. Bonnie Whiting

PSU's Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).