The Summer Percussion Academy at Mason provides valuable real-world preparation and college audition insights to teen percussionists, as well as exciting masterclass and performance opportunities.
“I’ve found that the most successful musicians are always asking questions and engaging in the most current topics in their field,” explains Program Director and Mason Percussion professor Jonathan Bisesi. “For a percussionist, some of these topics and questions are:
- How do I practice and perform at a higher level?
- What repertoire should I be playing?
- What should I play for a college audition?
- What colleges should I audition for?
- What are High School and College Percussion Ensembles currently performing across the country?
- What composers are writing new material for our instrument(s)?
- How well-rounded does a Percussionist need to be?
- How many sticks and mallets should I have?
These are only a sample of the topics that we will approach throughout the week. A variety of expert percussionists (from George Mason University and the Buffalo Philharmonic) will add their insight and experience.”
Fellow Mason School of Music professors John Kilkenny, Joe McCarthy and Victor Provost will accompany Jonathan in leading this week-long immersion into all things percussion. Plus, they will be joined by guest artist Dinesh Joseph from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Through performance and discussion, my goal is to inspire each student to find their own answers once the week has concluded,” says Mr. Bisesi. “This makes the Mason Summer Percussion Academy the perfect setting to strengthen the skills that each student already has, while making him or her a better informed percussionist for the future.”
The Percussion program takes place during the “Mason Summer Music Intensive Week” on July 31 – August 4, 2017 (9am-4pm) in the de Laski Performing Arts Building on the Mason Fairfax campus in northern Virginia. A special Residential option which includes on-campus housing, meals and evening activities is also available for the full university experience. If you’re a young percussionist age 13 to 18, this is the place to be this summer!
Thanks to our Mason School of Music Percussion department and summer program sponsors:
