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
Joseph Grimmer
Assistant Professor, 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
Sarah Frisof
Associate Professor, Flute
Winds & Percussion
1130A The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Joseph Grimmer
Assistant Professor, Bassoon
Division Coordinator, Woodwinds
Winds & Percussion
1120 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Tim Powell
Assistant Clinical Professor, Saxophone
Winds & Percussion
1114 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Emily Tsai
Lecturer, Oboe
Winds & Percussion
1130D The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Brass
Myles Blakemore
Assistant Professor, Trombone
Winds & Percussion
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Willie Clark
Lecturer, Tuba
Lecturer, Euphonium
Brass
Winds & Percussion
1116 The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Chris Gekker
Distinguished University Professor, Trumpet
Jazz Studies
1130B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
Gregory Miller
Professor, Horn
Winds & Percussion
2110B The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
College Park
MD,
20742
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 |