Welcome to the University or Texas Percussion program!

The goal of this program is help each student accomplish their musical goals, be they future instructor or performer. Always remember the school is here for YOU! But in order to achieve your goal, it is essential for each student to have the necessary tools. Each UT percussion major WILL BE REQUIRED to own certain method books , mallets, and instruments. Below is a list of those requirements, with suggestions of mallets and instruments.

*The best place to acquire both books and supplies is Steve Weiss Percussion (ph# 215.659.0100).

The School of Music host an extremely large inventory of percussion equipment. Because of this, there are several policies in place to help organize and secure the university inventory. If you are a NEW STUDENT, please review the Departmental Policies section.

Required Literature

back to top

Though the University is able to provide the majority of instruments you will be need during your time here, it will be necessary for each student to own certain accessories and an assortment of mallets. These requirements will be broken down into two groups: Undergraduate & Graduate.

Though you are required to have the listed instruments and mallets, it is not mandatory to own the suggested items. These are merely suggestions that have been found to be the most successful.

back to top

Color Coding

There are three main rehearsal areas, and one storage facility at the UT School of Music, in which percussion instruments are located. To better organize the equipment, all inventory is marked with a color (usually a piece of tape) to indicate it's proper location.

• "Orange" RM 2.114 (Longhorn Band Hall)
• "Green" RM 2.118 (Orchestra Room)
• "Blue" RM 6.222 (Percussion Studio)
• "Yellow" RM 2.134 (Instrument Storage Room)
• "Red" RM 6.224 (Drum Set Room)

Longhorn Band Hall (2.114)

The Longhorn Band Hall is the largest of the the rehearsal spaces. Groups which use this facility include Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Concert Band, as well as The Longhorn Band. Each ensemble is provided with its own percussion cabinet, which is mounted on castors for easy transport. Each cabinet is locked with a combination lock that only the group's members have access (* combinations are changed each semester). The cabinets are stocked with basic percussion equipment (assortment of cymbals, stands, , drums, and accessories). At the beginning of the rehearsal "roll" the cabinet out to your area and set up the equipment you will need for that day. It is recommended that students show up 15-20 minutes early to allow for set up time. At the end of the rehearsal make sure and store all equipment back in the cabinet, lock it, and push it to the back of room. If any equipment is unproperly stored (left out of the case) it is subject for confiscation. Larger equipment such as timpani, and mallet instruments will be shared between the ensembles. The group that rehearses last will be responsible for putting the larger equipment to the back of the room.

Orchestra Room (2.118)

The Orchestra Room is normally used as a rehearsal space for the UT orchestra, but is sometimes shared with other groups. Percussion equipment is stored in three closets located at the back of the room. All equipment is to be stored in these closets after each rehearsal. If any equipment is unproperly stored (left out of the closet) it is subject for confiscation.

Percussion Studio (6.222)

The Percussion Studio, located on the 6th floor of the music building, is the rehearsal space for all percussion ensembles, steel pan group, and the new music ensemble. The majority of percussion inventory is located in this room. Though is essential that equipment remain in this room, sometimes it will be necessary to "check out" items for use in other ensembles.

Peg Board
Smaller items such tuned gongs, loose crotales, wood blocks and almglocken, are mounted on a "peg board" in 6.222. The procedure to "check out" these items for use in other ensembles is as follows

• Make sure those items are not needed by another ensemble. Speak with Dr. Burritt or Tony Edwards.
• Fill out a card with your name, instrument to use, and the date of return. (*Cards are located on the peg board).
• Take the instrument you need.
• Attach the card to the peg.

Instrument Room (2.134)

Often times you may have special requirements for certain pieces (such as root toms, or 5 tam-tams). Instruments that are not commonly used are stored in the instrument room. If you need anything from this room simple come by between 9:00 AM -1:00 PM. You will need to fill out information card. You can also e-mail your requests to Tony Edwards (tonyedw@mail.utexas.edu)

Drum Set Room (6.224)

This room is dedicated for drum set practice and lessons. All items are color coded as red and should remain in this room

DO NOT REMOVE ITEMS FROM ROOMS!!!!!!!

The number one problem with equipment at UT is that people move items from one room (or cabinet) to another. If you need extra equipment check with Tony or Tom first before taking items from other rooms. When you do this it creates a chain reaction that is an inconvenience for everyone. This is especially true with recitals and multi-setups. For extra equipment DO NOT take stands or instruments from 6.222. Contact Tony for extra needs first.

Percussion Department "policies and procedures"

In order to help maintain equipment and organize its use, All students are asked to follow these simple rules.

• Timpani covers
  Please make sure that after each rehearsal or performance the covers are place back on the timpani. DO NOT put covers face down on the floor! This may result in the heads being damaged since the covers could pick up particles that could scratch or puncture the heads.
• Cymbal stands-(felts and washers)
  Often you may need to mount accessories on a stand. The school has many stands for this purpose. Please refrain from removing washers and felts from cymbal stands. JUST SAY NO! If you need an accessory stand, first come by the instrument room (2.134) or discuss the situation with Tony Edwards (tonyedw@mail.utexas.edu). If it becomes necessary to use a cymbal stand, for this purpose please return the washers and felts to the original stand after it's use (at the end of the rehearsal or performance!). If you use stands in 6.222 for this purpose please place the parts in the "cymbal parts coffee can". The department spends $100's to replace cymbal felts every year. It is a complete waste of money and should be used for other purposes.
• "Twisting" stands
  If you need to adjust a stand (snare or tom) first loosen the height adjusting wing nut and then adjust the stand accordingly. NEVER turn, raise, or lower a stand with full pressure applied on the mechanism. This will result in damage to the stand.
• Over tighten wing nuts
  Another common probelm, that damages equipment, is to much pressure placed on the adjustment mechanisms. Most modern stands have plastic sleeves that help hold it in place. A slight amount of pressure is all that is needed to hold the stand in place. Never "over tighten" the wing nuts. This results in stripping the the moving parts and damages the stand, not to mention requiring pliers to undo your act a strength.
• Crotales
  Many pieces of music, especially newer works, call for single crotale notes. Please refrain from removing crotales from complete sets. Loose crotales are found on the peg board in 6.222. If you have any problems with this please contact Tony Edwards.
• Put things away after you are done
  This is very obvious! Put things away when your done! Leaving equipment out results in loss, inconvenience, and often theft. Each room has a place for storage of equipment. If equipment is repeatedly left out the result could be a "bar" placed on that student's record. Please be responsible and put things away!
• No metal objects on mallet instruments or timpani.
  Please do not place stands, brass mallets, cymbals or any other metal objects on uncovered timpani or mallet instruments. This tends to be tempting when transporting instruments between rooms. The result is often a punctured head or scratched bars (that have to be retuned).

Instrumental repair

There are always problems that occur in any percussion studio: marimba cord breaks, squeaky vibe pedal, timpani heads that need to be cleared. If you have any problems with equipment please document it on the "Percussion Repair List" found on the bulletin board next to Dr. Burritt's office. You can also contact Tony Edwards (tonyedw@mail.utexas.edu)

Practice Room Policies and Procedures:

• Keys:

  All percussion majors and non-majors who are registered in lessons and/or ensembles will be issued keys through the director's office 3.832 found on the third floor of MRH. Sign up sheets can be found on a table in this office.

  6.224 (Drum set room) This room will only be available to those students studying Drum set.

  6.228 (Percussion Technology Center) ALL Students may have access. This room acts as a faculty office and practice facility. Sign up sheets with therefore reflect adjunct faculty office and teaching hours. Care must be taken when considering security issues with this particular room.

  6.222 (Percussion Studio) ONLY Upperclassmen (Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and Graduates) will be issued key to this room. This multi-purpose room serves as a practice room, ensemble rehearsal space, and teaching facility. Therefore no sign out sheet will be used. While undergraduates do have access, graduates have priority. Due to lessons, rehearsals, and classes during the day, this room may not be available during the day for practice. Evening hours, however, tend to be more available. The security of this room is crucial. In the event that this room is left consistently unlocked, ALL keys will be taken from ALL students. It is everyone's responsibility to take care of our equipment.

  6.187 (Percussion Modules) ALL Students may have access. These four module practice rooms house assigned instruments. These may be moved only by permission of Prof. Burritt. Instruments may be placed in these rooms temporarily and must be returned to the original location.

  6.232 (Multiple Setup Room) ALL Students may have access. This room is mainly used for students preparing piece that incorporate multiple setups. Those students needing this facility for multi-setups will have priority, otherwise it may be used as a basic practice room.

• Practice Room Sign-ups:

  At the beginning of the fourth class day practice room sign-up sheets are posted on each practice room door. Once class schedules are established students are strongly encouraged to "schedule" practice room time. These times should be treated as class time each day of the semester. When practice sheets are posted students will schedule practice time in several rooms for the entire semester. Students may schedule no more than two hours of time in each room per day. Time that is left over will remain open for practice by any percussion major. For these non-scheduled times please be sensitive to the other persons needs by working together to enhance the practice experience. Sign up priority will go in the following order:

  DMA, MM, Performance UG, Studies, UG, BA, Non-major

• Practice Room Policies:

  Practice rooms should be kept "clutter free". No personal belongings may be stored in these rooms. All moving of equipment in or out of practice rooms must be approved by Thomas Burritt or Tony Edwards and must adhere to instrumental policies outlined in this handbook. If an instrument needs repair please report it immediately to the sign out sheet located outside Professor Burritt's door. It is the student's duty to report all instruments needing repair or adjustment. All concerns about practice room policies should be directed to Professor Burritt.

• Important Note:

  The policies outlined above were designed to maximize the student's practice and developmental experience here in our fine program. Please understand that we work tirelessly to help make your experience here as educationally conducive as possible. It is our hope that through this experience you learn to work together as a team. Remember that part of being the best musician you can be means being able to work with people, especially your peers.