When one considers the quality of our faculty, students, guest artists, alumni, curricular options, myriad performance, touring, and recording opportunities, facilities, instrument collection, the individual attention afforded each student, employment referrals, and the acclaimed reputation of the Dana School of Music, we provide an outstanding educational opportunity at one of the lowest costs of any comprehensive university in Ohio. See "Comparing Schools" for a cost comparison of public and private schools in Ohio.
STUDIO & CURRICULUM: Dr. Glenn Schaft coordinates the percussion studies program which is renowned not only for its innovative and broad-based curriculum, but also for addressing students' unique career interests. Studio enrollment averages 15-20 majors whose curriculum includes Applied Percussion private lessons, group lessons, & seminar class, Percussion Ensemble, and myriad guest artists who present clinics, masterclasses, lectures, recitals, and private lessons. Students may personalize their degree program via curriculum specialization options such as drum set, keyboard percussion, contemporary music, or world percussion.
MISSION: We strive to foster a vibrant community of artist-scholars and facilitate their 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. Dana includes approximately 300 music majors, 29 full-time faculty, 31 adjunct faculty, and is an integral part of a thriving urban research university. Despite more than 140 years of history, the Dana School of Music has only had three full-time percussion faculty over the course of the past fifty years; Myron (James) Wisler 1962-1972, Joseph Parklink 1972-1996, and Glenn Schaft, 1996-present.
LOCATION: YSU is located in downtown Youngstown and is part of the vibrant cultural region of northeast Ohio; with Cleveland 70 miles to the northwest, Akron 50 miles to the west, and Pittsburgh 67 miles to the southeast. The Youngstown metropolitan area has a population of over 760,000.
SPONSORS: Glenn and the Percussion Studio are proud to be sponsored by Avedis Zildjian Company, Remo Inc., ProMark Inc. and Black Swamp Percussion.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Campus-based professional gigs include: Youngstown Percussion Collective Touring Ensemble, drum circle facilitators for the SMARTS Program, drumset players for the Basketball Pep 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, Warren, 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.