Orchestral percussion students have the full gamut of percussion instruments to learn. Mallet percussion, timpani and snare drum are the main focus for orchestral percussion students. A full set of percussion instruments is available for tuition and practicing, and a wealth of repertoire, built up over the last three decades ensures that all aspects of percussion playing can be covered. In addition there are hire instruments available for students to practice at home. The percussion ensembles deal with group playing and developing listening skills, but also provide students with the opportunity to learn techniques for the many other percussion instruments they may play in wind bands or other ensemble settings.1st Term Percussion Concert 2019
This concert consisted of some ensemble items, duets and solo items accompanied by the UCT percussionists. The solo items were performed on tuned percussion, snare drum and timpani, giving a great overview of the various percussion skills students at Beau Soleil get to learn. The senior ensemble played the first movement of the “Suite for Keyboard Percussion” which moves through various time signatures and pulse groupings. This challenging piece was commissioned by the University of Oklahoma Percussion Ensemble, and the members of the senior ensemble have done well to tackle this complex piece. A highlight of this concert was the visit from past Beau Soleil percussion student Bryan Clarke. He performed in this concert, accompanying his niece Sarah with the UCT ensemble. Follow this link to read Bryan’s biography.
This annual event is a performance based workshop that features elements related to the drum kit. It takes place in the third term each year, straight after the end of term percussion concert.
