Our beginner class is designed to focus on practice pad (for an overall drum technique) and keyboard instruction. Students are also introduced to timpani, other drums such as bass drums and toms, as well as accessories such as triangle and tambourine. Beyond 6th grade, students strengthen their understanding as a percussionist through an ensemble class. (Symphonic Band, Honor Band, Concert Band) 

Due to the limited number of instruments, the class size is limited to a few students every year.

Private Lessons: Because of the extremely detailed nature of percussion and the necessity to learn more than one instrument, percussionists are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons with the private percussion instructor at Westbrook. Percussion is time-intensive. Students who participate in private lessons experience less frustration and statistically are more likely to continue their music education in high school. 

Percussionists must be physically coordinated with especially good hand/eye coordination and should be blessed with innate rhythm. Understanding fractions in math is important to percussionists. 

Just because a child beats on things in the house does not mean he or she will be a great drummer. Practically all children bang on pots and pans and other household items. Coordination and a good sense of rhythm are invaluable to the would-be percussion student. A background in piano is desirable, though not required.

Percussionists learn both drums and the keyboard instruments, such as xylophone and marimba. Because of the popularity of this instrument choice, we must audition candidates in order to limit class size. It would not be much fun to have to take turns sitting out in class waiting for a turn on the instruments. We prefer for children who already possess significant keyboarding skills (piano); however, each year we have a couple of percussion students who do not already play piano. In addition to snare drum and keyboards, percussionists must also learn to play crash cymbals, suspended cymbals, bass drum, timpani, triangle, concert toms, and many other smaller percussion instruments. Students who do not enjoy loud noises should avoid playing percussion.

Beginners usually start on drumming technique since that is what is new. Once the proper grip is established, they begin playing the keyboards as well. Because most percussionists are pianists, the keyboard part of the class moves very fast. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW:

1. Attend the 5th-grade online parent meeting on Tuesday, March 19th at 6:30 pm. 

This is when you'll sign up for an interview time at our Instrument Selection Day. If you're unable to attend the meeting, please email Mrs. Maloy (jmaloy@ccisd.net) Meeting via Microsoft Teams

2. If interested in percussion, attend the percussion interview on Friday, March 22nd, AND Saturday, March 23rd instrument selection day. Students who do not make the percussion class will play their April 1st instrument selection.

The directors will help you try out the different instruments to find what will fit you best! Will take between 15-20 mins. 

Percussion Interviews: All students interested in trying out for percussion MUST sign-up for a Saturday time to choose their second choice. This is a procedure we do every year for beginner percussion students. On Friday evening, we will have our percussion “try-out” (you don’t have to have previous skills, we are looking for innate coordination). Families who selected percussion as their first choice will receive an additional email at a later date.