High School Percussion
High School Percussion
Percussion at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts focuses on discovering your unique voice as an artist. As a student in this program, you'll benefit from one-on-one private lessons, studio classes, chamber music coachings, guest artist master classes, and numerous opportunities to showcase your skills.
High School Diploma
Instrument Study
Explore repertoire for snare drum, keyboard percussion, timpani, multi-percussion,
and theatrical percussion with Dr. Ksenija Komljenović. You may also choose to dive into Afro-Cuban drumming with Mr. John R. Beck, or study drum set with Alan Hall, our new drum set instructor.
Each year, 5–10 guest artists and clinicians visit the studio, offering fresh perspectives
and inspiring new ideas. Students have the option to present a recital, gaining experience
in shaping a full program and sharing their artistry with an audience.
Performance
Performance is at the heart of the UNCSA experience. Every week, students and faculty
gather for Performance Hour to share music across a wide range of styles and genres.
Opportunities to perform include chamber music, orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic
winds, big band, jazz combo, and nu ensemble. Students may also compete in the annual
concerto competition.
The percussion ensemble offers a chance to explore contemporary music repertoire as
well as arrange and perform works for our popular Spring concert, a sold-out event
that has become a highlight of the year for both the studio and its audiences.
Academics
At UNCSA, you’ll focus on becoming the best musician you can be while also keeping
up with your academic courses. Each week, you’ll have a private lesson and a studio
master class. You will also be placed in chamber groups and large ensembles that match your skills and goals.
The high school academic program is designed to balance your intensive music studies with classroom learning. Ninth-
and tenth-grade students take at least four academic courses, eleventh graders take
at least three, and seniors take at least two. On Wednesdays, no academic classes
are scheduled so you can dedicate time to rehearsals, practice, and lessons. All high
school musicians graduate with a diploma. You may choose to earn an additional “Concentration
in Music” designation.