studio & curriculum: Glenn Schaft coordinates the YSU percussion studies program which is renowned not only for providing comprehensive percussion education, but also for addressing students' unique career interests. Our studio enrollment consists of 15-20 majors whose curriculum includes Applied Percussion (private lessons, group lessons, & seminar class), Percussion Ensemble, and myriad guest artists in clinics, masterclasses, & recitals. Students may personalize their degree program via curriculum options such as drum set, keyboard percussion, contemporary music, or world percussion.
mission: We strive to foster a community of artist-scholars and facilitate their self-directed learning via the development of critical thinking, knowledge, and practical skills across broad, yet interrelated, areas of inquiry including performance, improvisation, composition, pedagogy, theory, history, technology, mind/body research, and the music industry.
history: Founded in 1869, the Dana School of Music is one of the oldest continuously operating music schools in the United States and includes approximately 320 majors, 29 full-time faculty, 31 adjunct faculty, and is part of a thriving urban research university.
employment opportunities: Campus-based professional gigs include the Youngstown Percussion Collective 5-member Touring Ensemble, drum circle facilitators for the SMARTS Program, drumset players for the Basketball Band, and hand drum accompanists for the Dance Department. Off-campus opportunities include the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Warren Philharmonic, Packard Band, Youngstown Playhouse, and myriad jazz and popular groups in the Cleveland, Akron, Kent, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh region. Many of our students are instructors and composer/arrangers for regional high school drumlines. Private teaching opportunities abound at area music retail establishments such as the Drum Smith, Motters Music, and Hubbard Music.