Percussion Ensemble

The PSU Percussion program offers two exceptional ensembles: the PSU Percussion Ensemble and the advanced Percussion Group Portland State. This two-ensemble structure pushes students to expand their technical mastery, musical versatility and artistic confidence through increasingly challenging repertoire and performance opportunities. Students perform a wide range of contemporary, classical, world and experimental repertoire through weekly rehearsals, frequent performances and collaborations with internationally recognized guest artists and educators. These experiences help develop the technical mastery, musical versatility and professional skills needed to thrive as a professional percussionist.

Four PSU Percussion students performing in Lincoln Recital Hall with a collection of drums and marimbas.

Percussion Group Portland State

Percussion Group Portland State performs cutting-edge and emerging chamber percussion repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries, exploring avant-garde and contemporary music that challenges and elevates the art form. Group members are often graduate students or advanced undergraduate percussion students. In addition to performing on campus, the group performs regionally and nationally, exploring new frontiers in sound, performance and the integration of technology into percussion chamber music.

PSU Percussion Ensemble

The PSU Percussion Ensemble explores and performs standard percussion repertoire from the past century in a variety of forms, from small chamber ensembles to large percussion orchestra works. Group members learn and perform in a multitude of styles, including music from non-Western traditions around the world and popular styles, in addition to classical works. The PSU Percussion Ensemble is open to PSU students of any major.

In these ensembles, students gain incredible real-world experience performing across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Recent highlights include:

National and regional performances, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) and the Northwest Percussion Festival.
Collaboration with the Oregon Symphony and Third Angle New Music
Local appearances at the Portland Winter Light Festival and AUXART at Zidell Yards.
Professional recording engagements, including a partnership with Tapspace Publications to release high-quality recordings of brand-new works.

Known for their collaborative and cooperative attitude, these percussion ensembles are a great chance for you to develop your talent and learn professional-level musicianship within our music program.

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

You don’t have to be a music major to play with us—the ensemble is open to all PSU students! Auditions are required. Click here for more information.

How to Audition

Auditions are required for all ensemble participants.

For Percussion majors, their audition for admission into the Percussion program also determines their placement in one of the Percussion Ensembles. Each spring, Percussion majors reaudition for ensemble participation during the coming year.

The ensemble is open to all PSU students, regardless of major. Students who are not percussion majors should contact Chris Whyte (cwhyte@pdx.edu), ideally in the spring of the year prior to the year they want to participate, so that an audition time can be arranged. Later auditions may be possible depending on space availability.

Auditions take place in the Percussion Studio in Lincoln Hall, room 35.

Audition Details

Perform pre-existing samples of music and techniques on mallet instruments, snare drum, drum set, or timpani. Students should also be prepared to sight-read to determine appropriate ensemble placement.

Notification Process

Students are notified via email about audition results.

Requirements & Expectations

Rehearsals are once per week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30pm in LH35, and also by arrangement.
Students provide their own sticks, mallets, or other needed materials.

Performances

The ensemble performs regularly on campus at the end of each term, presenting three comprehensive concert programs. Additional performances take place throughout the community and region, including appearances at the Northwest Percussion Festival, giving students the opportunity to perform in front of other schools and hear different styles and skill levels from students at other institutions.