Dr. Schaft will post communications via our website
<www.ysu.edu/percussion>, e-mail, and his office bulletin board located in Bliss Hall room 2234. Make sure he has your current email & mobile phone number. You are responsible for reading postings and attending all indicated events.
Dr. Schaft serves as the academic advisor for all the percussion majors. Mary Lou Weingart is an academic advisor in the College of Fine and Performing Arts (Dean's Office, Bliss Hall) and she will assist you in selecting GER classes and computer registration. Secure a “Curriculum Guide” (from her office or online at http://web.ysu.edu/gen/fpa/Academic_Advisement_m16.html) that lists the courses required for each degree program and bring this form to all advisement meetings with Dr. Schaft. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Schaft before registering.
Register for courses in the following order:
1. Percussion Ensemble - course code 6220, catalog number 0009. Meets Tuesdays 3-7p.m.. Recommended for all majors, unless otherwise advised by Dr. Schaft.
2. Applied Percussion - course code - 89xx. See "Applied Lesson Course Numbers for further info. Freshmen should register for catalog number 1501. Although there are three separate components to the Applied Percussion Course, the only part listed on your YSU Weekly View Course Schedule is the Percussion Seminar Class. Please understand that you must attend all three components beginning week one. Dr. Schaft will post a schedule of private lesson and group lesson times on his bulletin board during week one.
A. Private lessons- one hour weekly lesson, time TBA pending receipt of your schedule on the first class day.
B. Group lessons – 1 or 2 hours weekly, times TBA. Private and group lessons are scheduled by Dr. Schaft after you submit your weekly view class schedule on the first class day.
C. Percussion Seminar Class – Required for all majors. Meets Friday 12-12:50p.m.
3. Dana Convocation- weekly School of Music meeting for all music majors; host guest artists, student recitals, faculty presentations, etc. All music majors are required to earn 36 Convocation attendance credits; these should be completed during freshmen and sophomore years. Meets Friday 11-11:50 a.m. in Bliss Recital Hall. Reserve this hour in your schedule until you complete the attendance requirement.
4. Music Theory see http://ysumusictheory.weebly.com/ for all theory department information. Freshmen - depending on your theory placement test score and subsequent faculty recommendations, you should enroll in either MUSTC 1520 or 1531 during your first semester. If you have not taken the placement test, it will be given the week before fall classes begin. The theory sequence should be completed in your first five or six semesters.
5. Keyboard Musicianship – piano class. If you are admitted to Dana as a music (percussion) major, piano is considered your minor instrument. If you possess piano experience and wish to proficiency-out of any of the four required courses, you should take the placement exam. If not, enroll in the first course, MUSAC 1581, during your first semester. Schedule your exam through the Dana Office. Exams are usually held several days before classes begin each fall. The keyboard sequence should be completed in your first four semesters.
6. Large Ensemble requirements: You are required to enroll in at least one large ensemble concurrent with each semester of applied percussion lessons as per the Large ensembles include marching band, wind ensemble, concert band, orchestra, jazz big bands, etc. All ensemble assignments are determined via auditions the first week of Fall Semester. Initially, enroll in a course you wish to participate in and after ensemble auditions, the ensemble assignments will be posted and you may adjust your schedule accordingly. My recommendation for freshmen includes marching band or concert band; jazz majors should enroll in Jazz 3.
7. General Education Requirements (GER). You are required to earn liberal arts credits as indicated on your degree curriculum guide. I recommend freshmen enroll in only one GER course their first semester - perhaps from the Basic Skills section. A full load is 12-16 credits; 12-14 is ideal your first semester.
Additional Advisement Info
Fall Semester Percussion Auditions: Two auditions occur during the first week of fall semester.
1. Symphonic Percussion Auditions– includes consideration for Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Dana Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, University Band, Brass Ensemble, Opera, Musical, etc. Auditions are held the first or second class day in Bliss 2234. A sign-up list and instructions are posted on my bulletin board one week before classes begin. Auditions consist of sight-reading and/or repertoire on snare drum, two-mallet marimba, and two timpani. Auditions typically occur behind a screen and are heard by the percussion/band/orchestra faculty. The faculty determine ensemble assignments, placement, and part assignments. All percussion majors must take the Symphonic Percussion Audition unless otherwise advised by Dr. Schaft. Any YSU student wishing to be considered for the above ensembles must take this audition for consideration.
2. Drumset Auditions – for jazz big bands and combos occur the first week of classes in room 2222. The audition sign-up list will be posted on Dr. Engelhardt’s studio, Bliss Hall room 2212. Drumset audition repertoire includes: 1. Sight-read a chart with a big band. 2. Play with a combo by ear. Call-backs may occur, so please wait until you are excused. Instruments are provided; bring only sticks and brushes. Audition results will be posted immediately following the auditions. Vibraphonists should sign-up for a separate audiiton time as indicated by Dr. Engelhardt.
PASIC. Percussive Arts Society International Convention occurs in November and I encourage you to attend. See <www.pas.org> No YSU percussion classes or events are scheduled during PASIC to help facilitate your attendance. Notify your professors, via memo, the first week of fall semester of your proposed absences from their courses.
Percussion Keys. Each percussion major should sign-out two keys, one for the third floor practice rooms and one for the second floor percussion rooms, from the music office after you have registered for applied percussion. Returning majors may keep keys during the summer. Percussion minors may be issued a 3rd floor practice room key pending Dr. Schaft's approval.
Lockers. Rent a Bliss Hall second floor locker at the Kilcawley Center Bytes and Pieces; we cannot provide percussion facilities for personal items.
Drumline Camp see www.ysubands.org for schedule and audition music.
Recital Advisement - see Applied Percussion Syllabus
Graduate Studies Registration Advisement:
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Ausmann (Coordinator of Graduate Music Studies) to discuss your registration.
1. Register for 6900 level applied percussion
2. Register for Percussion Ensemble (MUSEN 0009)
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