Music Studies at NAUThe faculty at the Northern Arizona University Kitt School of Music provide experience-based education, balancing performance and academics in a way that leads to successful careers and lifelong involvement in music. The school cultivates an environment where discovery, creativity, and personal and professional development can flourish. The NAU Kitt School of Music hosts a rich cultural life, valuing tradition, yet seeking innovation.
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Percussion Studies at NAU
The course of study for percussion includes the investigation of numerous aspects of percussion performance: marimba and vibraphone, snare drum (concert and rudimental), timpani, drum set, multiple percussion, orchestral percussion, marching percussion, world percussion (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, among other cultural/world music studies). Further studies include the NAU Percussion Ensemble; Percussion Pedagogy and Literature (performance majors); and Percussion Techniques I & II (a two-semester course sequence for music education pedagogy). Weekly percussion master classes provide opportunities for extended clinical percussion presentations and studio-related discussion, in addition to frequent student performance opportunities.
In August of 2022, Hemphill was succeeded by Dr. Abby Fisher, Assistant Professor of Percussion at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Fisher holds degrees from Stony Brook University (DMA), New York University (MM), and Lawrence University (BM).
In August of 2022, Hemphill was succeeded by Dr. Abby Fisher, Assistant Professor of Percussion at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Fisher holds degrees from Stony Brook University (DMA), New York University (MM), and Lawrence University (BM).
NAU Percussion Ensemble
As an integral component of percussion studies at Northern Arizona University, the NAU Percussion Ensemble performs extensively on campus and throughout Arizona. The development of chamber music performance skills is at the core of the ensemble’s existence. The ensemble repertoire comprises a wide variety of musical and cultural styles, including standard works, contemporary, marimba band, steel band, commercial/jazz, and transcriptions. Membership of the ensemble is established primarily of percussion performance and education majors, but also may be open to select music minors and majors of diverse academic disciplines through audition/interview.
Extensive Pursuits and Experiential Learning
Percussion studies are based upon several focus components which, ultimately, objectifies the establishment of comprehensive musicianship. Those components include concentrated listening structures, composition projects using current technology, guided reading assignments, and the development of a professional portfolio, with forays into business and entrepreneurship. The extensive percussion studio handbook supports protocols, resources, related current events/reports, program content, and supplemental instructive information. Together, these academic objectives nurture percussion students through active pursuits in present-day news (community and global), mature communication, sophisticated musical knowledge, and progressive percussive intelligence. Students participate in large and small ensemble performance opportunities, weekly master classes, degree and honor recitals, and community engagement, preparing for marketplace ventures in society. The NAU Percussion Society, an association recognized by NAU’s student government (ASNAU), provides further experiential learning through leadership development (executive officeholders) and semi-professional performance venues in commercial settings.