Baylor > Percussion > Performance

Performance Opportunities

The Baylor School of Music offers incredible performance opportunities through its esteemed ensemble programs. The Baylor Percussion Group is the percussion department's primary performance ensemble and annually presents concerts of the most significant percussion works of the 20th and 21st centuries. A central focus of the ensemble is to foster relationships between composers and performers through collaborations and commissions. The group presents regional and world premieres of works by both emerging and established composers on each of its concerts. The BPG has been featured alongside So Percussion at the Round Top International Festival-Institute and Baylor University's Distinguished Artist Series. They were recently featured as a Showcase Ensemble at the 2007 Texas Music Educators Association Convention.

Our large ensembles include the Baylor Symphony Orchestra (Stephen Heyde, director), the Baylor Wind Ensemble (Eric Wilson, director), and the Baylor Symphonic Band (Isaiah Odajima, director). These ensembles combine a stimulating learning environment with a high level of artistic achievement and regularly present concerts at venues throughout the country and abroad.

The Baylor Jazz Program offers yet another performance avenue for our students. Under the direction of Alex Parker, Baylor percussionists can gain invaluable drum set experience in the Baylor Jazz Ensemble, Concert Jazz Ensemble, or Jazz Septet. The Jazz Program regularly welcomes today's top jazz artists to campus for collaborative performances with our students.

Students are also encouraged to participate on the Baylor Drumline. The BDL consists of approximately 32 percussionists who come from all facets of university life. The BDL strives to create an educational environment that is conducive to a high level of performance, while upholding the rich traditions of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.