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WINDS & PERCUSSION

Encompassing woodwinds, brass and percussion, our faculty include some of the nation’s leading soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral performers. All of our faculty are dedicated to providing the highest level of instruction to their students in a way that is tailored to meet their needs and aspirations.

The Program

Our faculty are active teachers and performers and include members of the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic and the Washington National Opera Orchestra. During each academic year, students benefit from regular residencies by guest artists. Past artists have included Robert Atherholt, Mark Nuccio, Adam Unsworth, Pius Cheng and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet.

We provide a first-rate chamber music experience. In addition to having the opportunity to work with faculty throughout the learning process, chamber students have myriad opportunities for community engagement through off-campus performances and classes. The chamber music program provides a rich array of guest artists and clinicians, exploring the chamber music experience from all perspectives.

We offer classical performance degrees at all levels in woodwinds, brass and percussion. Learn more about our performance degrees in jazz on our jazz page.

Graduate Fellowship Ensembles

We offer generous funding, faculty coaching, community engagement and performance opportunities for graduate students through our fellowship program. Learn more on the graduate fellowship ensembles page.

Performance Opportunities

We are home to the most performance ensembles in the School of Music: the athletic and academic bands, the UMD wind orchestra, the UMD percussion ensemble and numerous instrument specific woodwind and brass choirs and ensembles including the Trombone Choir.

Wind and percussion majors experience a unique ensemble experience with both the UMD Wind Orchestra and the UMD Symphony Orchestra. The Wind Orchestra incorporates band repertoire but focuses on the chamber wind experience, allowing students to enhance both their ensemble and chamber skills at the highest levels. At the same time, students rotate in and out of both orchestras, allowing for a varied and rewarding musical experience.
 

Winds & Percussion Division Coordinator

Sarah Frisof

Associate Professor, Flute
Division Coordinator, Winds & Percussion

1130A The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5539

Joseph Grimmer

Lecturer, Bassoon
Division Coordinator, Woodwinds
Winds & Percussion

1120 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Our Faculty

Woodwinds

Ashley Booher

Lecturer, Clarinet
Winds & Percussion

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Robert DiLutis

Professor, Clarinet
Winds & Percussion

1124 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5870

Sarah Frisof

Associate Professor, Flute
Division Coordinator, Winds & Percussion

1130A The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5539

Joseph Grimmer

Lecturer, Bassoon
Division Coordinator, Woodwinds
Winds & Percussion

1120 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Mark Hill

Professor, Oboe
Winds & Percussion

1130D The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301)405-5524

Tim Powell

Assistant Clinical Professor, Saxophone
Winds & Percussion

1114 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5519

Emily Tsai

Lecturer, Oboe
Winds & Percussion

1130D The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Brass

Willie Clark

Lecturer, Tuba
Lecturer, Euphonium
Brass
Winds & Percussion

1116 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5611

Justin Drew

Lecturer, Horn
Winds & Percussion

1122 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-8365

Chris Gekker

Distinguished University Professor, Trumpet
Jazz Studies

1130B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-5506

Matthew Guilford

Senior Lecturer, Trombone
Winds & Percussion

1126 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301)405-5512

Aaron LaVere

Lecturer, Trombone
Winds & Percussion

1126 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Gregory Miller

Director, School of Music
Professor, Horn
Winds & Percussion

2110B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-2577

Percussion

Jonathan Bisesi

Lecturer, Percussion
Winds & Percussion

2539 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Scott Christian

Lecturer, Timpani
Winds & Percussion

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park MD, 20742

Curriculum

B.A.

Course Duration Credits
Lessons 5 semesters 10
Large Ensembles 5 semesters 5
Class Piano 2 semesters 4
Music Theory 5 semesters 17
Music History 3 semesters 9
Music Electives 6
General Education, Languages and Electives 69

B.M.

Course Duration Credits
Lessons & Senior Recital 8 semesters 18
Large Ensembles 8 semesters 8
Chamber Music 8 semesters 8
Class Piano 2 semesters 4
Music Theory 5 semesters 17
Music History 4 semesters 12
Conducting 1 semester 2
Pedagogy 1 semester 1
Literature 1 semester 1
Music Electives 3
General Education & Electives 46

B.M.E.

Course Duration Credits
Lessons 7 semesters 14
Large Ensembles 7 semesters 7
Class Piano 2 semesters 4
Music Theory 4 semesters 14
Music History 4 semesters 12
Conducting 1 course 2
Music Education 12 courses 27
Education 4 courses 11
Student Teaching 2 courses 12
General Education 34

M.M.

Course  Duration Credits
Lessons & Recital 4 semesters 10
Large Ensembles 4 semesters 4
Chamber Music 2 semesters 2
Pedagogy 1 course 3
Research Methods 1 course 3
Music Theor 1 course 3
Music History 1 course 3
Electives 1 course 3

D.M.A.

Course Duration Credits
Lessons & Recital 3 semesters 10
Pedagogy 2 courses 6
Literature 2 courses 6
Chamber Music 2 semesters 2
Research Methods 1 course 3
Academic Electives 2 courses 6
Dissertation Research 2 semesters 12