Percussion Study at Hartt
Our philosophy regarding percussion education is to be as all-inclusive as possible. To that end, our students typically study solo, chamber and orchestral repertoire, as well as improvisation, drum-set, and percussion instruments from other cultures (particularly from Africa, the Middle East, Cuba, Brazil, and Trinidad). We routinely hire guest teachers with focused areas of expertise in order to compliment our more traditional offerings. As a result, Hartt percussion alumni have been very successful in finding a variety of jobs throughout the country.
With an average enrollment of about 15 students, the Hartt percussion program fosters a healthy exchange of ideas and perspectives among the students and allows for personalized attention from the percussion faculty. The teaching/learning experience extends beyond the boundaries of applied lessons, as the Hartt percussion faculty employs an "open door" policy with the students--we are here to serve you.
The Hartt percussion program enjoys a rich tradition of excellence and diversity dating back more than fifty years, distinguishing The Hartt School as having one of the first percussion programs and percussion ensembles in the country. Founded and directed by Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame member Alexander Lepak from 1947-91, the Hartt percussion program has been directed by Benjamin Toth since 1992.
Students interested in learning more about the Hartt percussion program are encouraged to contact Professor Toth at (860) 768-5253, or via e-mail.
PERCUSSION-RELATED COURSE OFFERINGS
Applied Percussion Lessons: Weekly private study, emphasizing a comprehensive percussion education. Lessons are designed to meet the student's individual needs, initially developing a strong musical and technical foundation on a variety of percussion instruments. Upper-level students may elect to focus on orchestral, chamber, or solo repertoire.
Percussion Ensemble: Large and small ensembles perform standard percussion ensemble repertoire, as well as contemporary literature and premiere performances. The ensemble also explores various world music traditions. In addition, the HARTT STEELBAND presents concerts each spring.
Graduate Percussion Group: Emphasis on advanced percussion trio, quartet, quintet, and sextet repertoire. Professor Toth performs with the group for select projects.
Orchestral Repertoire/Percussion Literature Survey: In addition to the study, preparation, and performance of orchestral repertoire for all percussion instruments, the course outlines the history and literature of the Percussion Ensemble as an art form.
Weekly Master Classes/Performance Classes: Presented by the percussion faculty; often involve student participation and interaction. Guest performers/clinicians are invited each semester.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Two teaching studios: These studios house the percussion faculty's extensive instrument, mallet, and music collection -- all of which are used as a resource for the Hartt percussion students.
Seven percussion practice rooms: Housing a large inventory of well-maintained percussion instruments.
Personal practice rooms: In addition to the rooms mentioned above, each percussion student is assigned a secure, personal practice room to be shared with one or two other percussionists.
AUDITION INFORMATION
A personal audition/interview with the percussion faculty is required, although audio and videotapes will be accepted in special circumstances. Auditions need not be accompanied. Warm-up facilities will be provided the day of the audition. Each audition should represent the applicant's highest level of accomplishment on the various percussion instruments outlined below:
All Degree Programs
Except the Jazz program; for information on auditions for this program, (click here.)
Snare Drum: [1] prepared solo or etude, [2] demonstrate orchestral long roll, [3] sight reading
Mallet Keyboard Instruments: [1] prepared solo and/or etude, [2] demonstrate scales, [3] sight reading
Timpani: [1] prepared solo or etude, and/or orchestral excerpts, [2] demonstrate tuning ability.
Orchestral Excerpts: Optional for undergraduate applicants, recommended for graduate applicants. Prepared drum-set demonstrations or solos; hand-drumming demonstrations; and multiple-percussion solos or etudes are not required, but may be presented.
PLACEMENT
The Hartt Percussion Department's long list of illustrious alumni includes: member of the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame, Emil Richards; drummer and Co-Founder of the Los Angeles-based Percussion Institute, Joe Porcaro; Los Angeles-based studio musician and free-lance percussionist, Judy Chilnick; composer Stuart Saunders Smith; timpanist Telly Lesbines (Milwaukee Symphony); New York-based musicians Steve Little (Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Sesame Street), Thad Wheeler (Broadway musicals and road shows, Steve Reich), Gary Seligson (Broadway musicals and recording artist), and Tom Oldakowski (Radio City Music Hall); D.C.I. video clinician and instrument designer, Bob Gatzen; Professor of Percussion at the Prague Conservatory, Amy Barber; principal timpanist with the Hartford Symphony, Gene Bozzi; percussionists for various Broadway and off-Broadway productions, Ed Fast and Mike Dobson; drummer for the Jackie McLean Quintet, Eric McPherson; steel drum builder and tuner, Kyle Dunleavy; concert artist, and founder of "J-DNA" Music Productions/Recordings (Japan), Hiroshi Chu Okubo; and percussionist for Yo-Yo Ma's "Silk Road Ensemble", Glen Velez's "Handance" ensemble, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and various Broadway productions, Shane Shanahan.
Other Hartt percussion graduates have gone on to successful careers as steel drum builders, music therapists, public school and university teachers, acousticians, recording engineers, and arts administrators. Hartt percussion alums can be found in every major music market from coast to coast, including Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
Students currently enrolled in the Hartt percussion program are frequently employed as freelance musicians throughout New England - with symphony orchestras, music theater companies, dance companies and schools, and various other ensembles. Hartt percussion students are also employed by area drum shops, school systems, and universities as applied percussion instructors. In addition, the Hartt Percussion Ensemble, Graduate Percussion Trio, and Steelband each maintain a busy concert schedule, having performed at Percussive Arts Society International Conventions; in New York City; Boston; Baltimore; and for schools, festivals, and concert series throughout New England and the Mid-west.
Please see below for a listing of positions held by former students of Benjamin Toth.
GUEST ARTISTS
GUEST ARTISTS AS VISITING FACULTY
The Hartt Percussion program normally employs one adjunct guest artist faculty member with a specialized area of expertise, e.g. Afro-Cuban, Brazilian or African Percussion, hand drumming, jazz vibes, etc. In addition to their weekly study with Professor Toth, Hartt percussion students may also register for weekly lessons and master classes with guest artist faculty members. Guest artist faculty members have included marimbist Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, hand drummer Glen Velez, timpanist Alexander Lepak, Latin percussionists Johnny Almendra and John Amira, jazz vibists Ted Piltzecker and David Samuels, African percussion specialist Joseph Galeota, hand drummer/percussionist Shane Shanahan and Brazilian percussionist Rogerio Boccato.
GUEST ARTISTS AS CLINICIANS
Guest artists who have presented clinics, master classes, and/or concerts for the Hartt Percussion program include:
Akros Percussion Collective
Tim Adams
(University of Georgia)
Rachna Agrawal
(North Indian Kathak dancer)
Keith Aleo
(Avedis Zildjian Company, Boston Conservatory, Interlochen Arts Camp)
Ameri-clique
(traditional Swiss-style fife and drum corps)
Dean Anderson
(Berklee College of Music)
Albi Bachmann
(rudimental drummer-Switzerland)
Jason Baker
(Mississippi State University)
Ananda Gopal Bandhopadhyay
(North Indian percussionist; tabla)
Amy Barber
(director, Prague Percussion Project-Czech Republic)
Vinicius Barros
(Brazilian percussionist)
Richie Barshay
(drum-set artist with Herbie Hancock)
Bob Becker
(Nexus; xylophone clinic)
Craig Bitterman
(West Point Band, United States Military Academy)
Rogerio Boccato
(Brazilian percussionist)
Bob Bonora
(free-lance percussionist, Las Vegas)
Herbert Brun
(composer)
Sandip Burman
(North Indian percussionist; tabla)
Jack Butcher
(instrument technician/builder)
Lee Caron
(Snare Drummer, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, 3rd U.S. Infantry Division, Washington, D.C.)
Stuart Chafetz
(timpanist/associate conductor-Hawaii Symphony)
Judy Chilnick
(free-lance percussionist, Los Angeles)
Connecticut Patriots Fife and Drum Corps
Alan Cornielius
(performance anxiety workshop)
Kwasi Dunyo
(master drummer-Ghana)
Duo Contexto
(Ricardo Bologna and Eduardo Leandro, percussion)
Ed Fast
(Afro-Cuban percussionist)
Ricardo Flores
(Afro-Cuban percussionist, University of Illinois)
Dan Florio
(percussionist-Dallas Symphony Orchestra)
George Fuentes
(Afro-Cuban percussionist)
Joe Galeota
(African percussionist/drum builder)
Bob Gatzen
(drum designer and inventor of the "drum frame")
Evelyn Glennie
(solo percussionist-Scotland)
Greg Giannascoli
(marimbist)
Guello
(Brazilian percussionist)
Jan Jirasek
(composer-Czech Republic
Minji Kim
(Korean percussionist and dancer)
Amy Knoles
(percussionist, California EAR Unit)
Ganesh Kumar
(South Indian percussionist)
Eduardo Leandro and the SUNY Stony Brook Percussion Ensemble
Alexander Lepak
(timpanist/composer-Hartford Symphony)
Richie Lepore
(jazz brush specialist)
Michael Lipsey
(Talujon Percussion Group)
Joe McCarthy
(drum set artist, and member, United States Naval Academy
Band and Jazz Ensemble)
Tom Miller
(steel drummer-Pan Ramajay)
Tony Miranda
(drum set/polyrhythm expert)
Dan Moore
(MIDI marimba/vibraphone specialist)
Freddy Moreno
(Afro-Cuban percussionist)
Andy Narell
(steel drummer)
David Nelson
(mrdangam player)
Hiroshi Chu Okubo
(Yamaha MIBURI [MIDI] virtuoso)
Percussion Group Cincinnati
Performers' Workshop Ensemble
(new music ensemble)
Proper Glue Percussion Duo
Mike Quinn
(former Solo Timpanist, La Scala Opera, Milan, Italy)
David Revill
(percussionist/composer and John Cage biographer)
Trichy Sankaran
(South Indian percussionist; mrdangam and kanjira)
Dr. J.B. Smith
(Arizona State University)
Sylvia Smith Percussion Duo
Stuart Saunders Smith
(composer)
Pat Smith
(percussionist-New Haven Symphony)
Larry Snider
(Akron Symphony Orchestra, University of Akron)
Sonagi Project
(traditional Korean percussion group)
Carlos Stasi
(scraper expert/percussionist-Brazil)
Victor "Papo" Sterling
(Afro-Cuban percussionist)
James Strain
(Northern Michigan University; xylophone virtuoso/historian)
Tom Stubbs
(percussionist-St. Louis Symphony)
Johan Svitzer
(music publisher, Denmark)
Talujon Percussion Group
Vanessa Tomlinson
(percussionist-Australia)
Trio Algetic
(percussion trio)
Yoshimi Tsuneda and the Shin-nyo-Daiko Taiko
drumming ensemble
U.S. Naval Academy Percussion Ensemble
U.S. Military Academy Band, West Point, Percussion Section
Robert Van Sice
(marimbist)
Roland Vazquez
(composer, drummer, historian)
Lee Vinson
(percussionist - Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Jason Walker
(Music Therapist; African percussion specialist)
Jim Walker
(jazz vibraphonist)
Michael Weilacher
(percussionist-The Netherlands)
Ronni Kot Wenzell
(Danish percussionist)
Evan Williams
(physical therapist)
Nancy Zeltsman
(marimbist)
Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic
(marimbist-Germany)
POSITIONS HELD BY FORMER STUDENTS OF BENJAMIN TOTH
Member, Yo-Yo Ma's "Silk Road Ensemble", Glen Velez's "Handance" ensemble, and the Philip Glass ensemble; accompanist, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater; Artist/Endorser for Remo, Inc. (frame drums)
Solo Artist; Yamaha MIBURI (midi) clinician; founder, "J-DNA" Music Productions/Recordings (Japan)
Percussionist, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Percussionist, U.S. Navy Band, Washington, D.C.
Percussionist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, New London, CT
Percussionist, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, 3rd U.S. Infantry Division, Washington, D.C.
Percussionists, United States Military Academy Band, West Point (two members)
Percussionist, 392nd Army Band, Fort Monroe, Virginia
Percussionist, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra
Principal Percussionist, Amman Symphony Orchestra (Jordan)
Principal Percussionist, Binghamton (NY) Symphony Orchestra
Principal Percussionist, Erie (PA) Philharmonic and Canton (OH) Symphony Orchestra
Principal Percussionist, Springfield (OH) Symphony Orchestra
Principal Percussionist, Battle Creek Symphony (MI); Percussionist, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra; Associate Percussionist, The Civic Orchestra of Chicago; and Extra-Percussionist, Colorado Symphony and Green Bay Symphony
Percussionist, Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (NY)
Percussionist, June in Buffalo Festival Orchestra (including chamber ensembles and recordings)
Percussionist, Akron (OH) Symphony Orchestra
Percussionist, Napa Valley Symphony Orchestra
Percussionist, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Percussionist, Kalamazoo (MI) and Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony Orchestras
Percussionist, Cleveland Opera and Cleveland Ballet Orchestras
Percussionist, Duluth-Superior Symphony
Percussionist, Cleveland Chamber Symphony
Percussionist, Cincinnati New Music Festival (chamber music)
Percussionist, Tanglewood Festival Orchestra
Percussionist, Aspen Music Festival
Percussionist, Pacific Music Festival
Percussionist, the Henry Mancini Institute
Timpanist, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
Timpanist, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Extra-Percussionist, San Francisco Symphony
Extra-Percussionist, New World Symphony
Extra-Percussionist/Timpanist, New Haven (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Czech World Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra and New Sousa Band
Extra-Percussionist, Lexington (KY) Philharmonic Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Richmond (IN) Symphony
Extra-Percussionist, Las Vegas Philharmonic
Extra-Percussionist, Pioneer Valley Symphony
Extra-Percussionist, Bridgeport (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Wallingford (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Waterbury (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, New Britain (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Norwalk (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Bristol (CT) Symphony Orchestra
Extra-Percussionist, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Alternate Percussionist, National Repertory Orchestra
Associate Conductor, Connecticut Valley Chamber Orchestra; Assistant Conductor, Manchester Sym. (CT)
Percussionist, various Broadway productions, including: The Color Purple; Caroline, or Change; Shrek The Musical; and Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark (New York)
Drummer, various Broadway productions, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, New York
Drummer/Percussionist, The Bushnell (Hartford) and Oakdale (New Haven) Theaters, and Hartford Stage
Drummer/Percussionist, Goodspeed Opera House (East Haddam, CT)
Drummer/Percussionist, New Repertory Theatre, Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Metro Stage Company, and the Fiddlehead Theatre Company (MA)
Percussionist, Cirque du Soleil touring productions, including: "Varekai" and "Banana Shpeel"
Drummer, Big Apple Circus, Bindlestiff Family Circus, and Circus-Smirkus (percussionist and music director), and member, Parallel Exit theater company(composer, writer, and performer)
Drummer, Jackie McLean Quintet and Abraham Burton Quintet
Drummer, Glen Miller Band
Drummer, Kill Switch Engage (Grammy-nominated rock band)
Drummer, Queen Mary II (cruise ship, big band), and Capitol Records recording artist
Percussionist, Hershey Park, PA
Percussionist, Lucern Festival (Switzerland), the "Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival" (MA), the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice (MA), and the Sebago-Long Lake ChamberFestival (ME)
Percussionist, Signal Ensemble (NY)
Percussionist, Darmstadt Festival
Members, Jovan Percussion Projekt (two players)
Member, Boston Village Gamelan
Member, Battu Percussion Ensemble
Member, New England Percussion Ensemble
Member, Robin Cox New Music Ensemble
Dance Accompanist, School for the Hartford Ballet/Dance Connecticut
Dance Accompanist, Wesleyan University (CT) Dance Program
Dance Accompanist, Kent State University and University of Akron (OH) Dance Programs
Dance Accompanist, Cleveland State University Dance Program
Dance Accompanist, Hartford Academy for the Performing Arts
Steel Drum Tuner and Builder, "Panyard, Inc.", Akron, Ohio
Steel Drum Tuner and Builder, Philadelphia
Music Transcriber/Editor, Panyard Publications, Akron, Ohio
Engineer, Sikorsky Aircraft (CT), Acoustics Department
Acoustical Engineer, BPN Technologies (MD)
Acoustical Engineer, Brooks Acoustics Corporation (Vernon, CT)
Acoustic Consultant, Jaffe Holden Acoustics (Norwalk, CT)
Acoustical Engineers, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation (Grouton, CT)
Instrument Builder and Partner, California Percussion
Licensing and Distribution Specialist, Harry Fox Agency (New York)
Percussion Sales and Marketing Representative, Kaman Music Corporation (LP, Toca, Gibralter, etc. - Bloomfield, CT)
Manager, The Good Music Group booking agency (Minneapolis)
Music Therapist, the "Art and Drama Therapy Institute" (Washington, DC)
Assistant Director, Hartford Studio of Electronic Music
Composer, published by Studio 4 Productions, Alfred Publishing Company, and Edition Svitzer
Assistant Director of the Music Library, Princeton University
Faculty Member, University of Minnesota, Duluth, and the Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Faculty Member, Tokyo School of Music
Faculty Member, National Music Conservatory (Amman, Jordan)
Faculty Member, Grand Valley State University (MI)
Faculty Member, University of North Carolina, Pembroke
Faculty Member, Minnesota State University
Faculty Member, Madison Area Technical College
Faculty Member, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay (sabbatical replacement)
Faculty Member, Abilene Christian University (TX) (sabbatical replacement)
Faculty Member, Miami University of Ohio
Faculty Member, Central Connecticut State University and "The Gunnery" (CT boarding school)
Faculty Member, Bennington College (VT)
Faculty Member, Muskingum College (OH)
Faculty Member, Holyoke Community College (MA), and Keene State College (NH)
Faculty Member, Milton Academy (MA)
Faculty Member, Springfield (MA) Community Music Center
Faculty Member, Hartford Conservatory of Music
Faculty Member, Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts
Faculty Member, The Hartt School Community Division
Steel Band Director, University of Akron (OH)
Steel Band Director, Akron School for the Performing Arts
Steel Band Director, Canton (OH) Symphony Steel Band Program
Pre-School, Primary, and Secondary School Music Teachers in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Texas
Various positions in the acoustics, recording, and arts management industries
Please visit Benjamin Toth's web page.