Percussion Studies at Blinn College

Percussion studies at Blinn College include a wide variety of experiences for both music majors and non-majors as well. All aspects of percussion study at Blinn are directed by Dr. Sarah Burke. All music majors who are percussionists receive a one-hour lesson every week from Dr. Burke. Interested non-music majors receive a half-hour lesson every week with Dr. Burke, schedule permitting. Below are links to various aspects of percussion study at Blinn College.

Facilities
Percussion Instruments
The Mothership Connection Drumline
Percussion Ensemble
Steel Drum Band

Anyone interested in pursuing percussion studies to any degree at Blinn College, please e-mail Dr. Sarah Burke at sarah.burke@blinn.edu

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Facilities

Instrumental music at Blinn College is centered at the Band Hall. In addition to a large rehearsal area, this building also contains music faculty offices, practice rooms, a classroom, a piano lab, and a percussion studio room. Some percussion instruments are stored in a custom instrument storage rack in the main rehearsal room. The percussion studio contains the other percussion instruments used for student practice and percussion ensemble.

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Percussion Instruments

Blinn College offers students a full range of percussion instruments for ensemble use and for practice. Included are a 6 1/3 octave custom marimba made by Planet Marimba, a 5 octave marimba made by Planet Marimba, a 4 1/3 octave marimba made by Planet Marimba, a 4 1/3 octave Musser rosewood marimba, a 4 1/3 Yamaha marimba, a 4 octave Planet Marimba xylophone, two vibraphones, two other xylophones, two sets of bells, a set of four Ludwig timpani, a set of five Yamaha timpani, chimes, crotales, two drumsets, congas, bongos, cymbals, concert toms, and auxiliary percussion instruments. In addition to these instruments, students have access to a full line of Dynasty marching drums, and a set of steel drums made by Steel of the Night.

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Drumline

The Mothership Connection includes a variable number of percussionists in each section, including approximately six snares, three tenors, five basses, and six cymbals,. Entrance into each section is by audition only. Auditions are held on the first day of summer drumline camp.

The Mothership Connection meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00-12:50 during the fall semester. Each section also has a one-hour sectional each week. The season begins in August with a four-day drumline camp at Blinn College.

The Mothership Connection proudly uses Promark sticks and mallets exclusively www.promark.com. The snare line primarily plays matched grip. Anyone interested in becoming a member of this ensemble, please e-mail Dr. Burke at sarah.burke@blinn.edu

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Percussion Ensemble

The Blinn College Percussion Ensemble meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00-12:50 during the end of the fall and the spring semester. The ensemble plays a variety of music for various numbers of players involving different instrumentations. The Blinn College Percussion Ensemble is open to both music majors and non-music majors involved in the band program. It is directed by Dr. Sarah Burke.

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BC Steel (Beyond Carribbean)

Steel Drum Ensemble is a class which is offered both in the fall and spring semesters. The ensemble rehearses music which is performed in various venues throughout both semesters. The instrumentation of Blinn's steel drum ensemble, BC Steel, includes four sets of pans, electric bass, drumset, and hand percussion. Inclusion in the ensemble is by approval from the director. Students do not need prior steel drum experience. Students interested in being a member of Beyond Carribbean steel drum ensemble should contact Dr. Burke.