Welcome!  This is a place to find out more about the UW-Eau Claire Percussion Studio and the UW-Eau Claire Percussion Ensemble.

Studio members study and work within a variety of percussive situations. They learn, practice, and excel in a multitude of percussion areas, including concert/orchestral, mallets, multi-percussion, timpani, world, and drumset.  I believe the best approach to undergraduate study is to learn about all aspects of percussion through both technical and musical training.  The best percussionists are those that are musicians first and foremost.  This priority is essential, but we also do need our technical ability and the absolute control of that ability in order to speak with the most musical potential - a happy balance must be achieved. 

Students participate in a variety of auditioned departmental ensembles in order to hone these skills – from our two concert bands, the Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, to our University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, to our award-winning Jazz Ensembles, and various chamber ensembles, including Percussion Ensemble and Contemporary Music Ensemble.

Members that participate in the UW-Eau Claire Percussion Ensemble perform a wide array of literature, from more historically classic/standard pieces to very contemporary works, from world ensemble to premieres of new repertoire.  The ensemble’s purpose is to expose the student to the widest array of musical experiences so each semester’s concert spans a diverse amount of literature.

The UW-Eau Claire Percussion Studio fosters a positive and encouraging learning environment for its members.  It strives to achieve greatness through a unified collaborative effort and a common goal of the highest possible quality of musicianship, kinship, and positive encouragement.   The studio’s foundation is solely comprised of these principles and its high level of success can be measure by how well we adhere to these criteria.

Look around and learn more about the studio.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me for more information (use the contact page).

Dr. Jeff Crowell

Associate Professor of Music – Percussion and Jazz Studies