Percussion entails a wide field of eclectic instruments like the timpani, bass, snare, and tambourine. 

Some of the best collegiate percussion programs emphasize study in these specific instruments and other areas (like keyboard percussion, orchestral percussion, and marimba).

It takes a skilled percussionist to teach an already-talented group of musicians. 

The best universities typically hire people who have maintained lifelong careers in performance, competed in a wealth of international competitions, and performed at some of the world’s top concert venues.

One of the advantages of attending one of the nation’s best collegiate percussion schools is that they typically enroll a small number of students. 

Many undergraduates will enjoy a teacher-to-student ratio as low as 1:3! These enrollment limitations also mean more financial assistance is available to aspiring percussionists.

Without further ado, here are our picks for 10 of the best percussion performance schools in the United States. 

Remember that these ten schools are a starting point, and the most important thing is to find the “right fit” college for you. Many schools beyond these ten could find themselves on a list like this one.

Timpani & Percussion Student
photo via Shutterstock

Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)

Peabody is home to several accomplished percussion faculty members, including Ian Rosenbaum, who has premiered over 100 works for classical percussion, as well as faculty member Ji Su Jung, a noted marimba soloist. 

Students at the Peabody Institute enjoy the flexibility to customize their curriculum and combine their percussion degrees with Recording Arts, Computer Music, or Music Education programs.

As part of the standard curriculum, percussion students participate in various performances through the Peabody Percussion Ensemble, solo and chamber recitals, and masterclasses. The audition process includes a marimba, snare drum, and timpani selection.


Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY)

Eastman’s Percussion Studio has been in operation for over a century! 

Formerly led by Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame members John Beck and William Street, Michael Burritt’s leadership now steers the Studio. 

Burritt regularly performs across the globe at illustrious venues like Carnegie Hall – he was previously the President-Elect of the Percussive Arts Society from 2021-2022.

The learning environment at Eastman is intimate, with an average of 16 undergraduates and six graduate students enrolled in the Percussion Studio at any time. 

Participation in the Eastman Percussion Ensemble is a pivotal component of the curriculum; here, students explore a diverse repertoire of contemporary music, world music, and improvisation.

As the ensemble director, Michael Burritt frequently creates one-of-a-kind opportunities for his students to work with percussion legends. 


Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN)

At the Jacobs School of Music, students receive training in various performances, including drum set, jazz, timpani, marimba, orchestral percussion, and world percussion. 

Indiana University centers music education at the core of any performance degree. In addition to developing talented performers, Indiana University aims to train capable and enthusiastic music educators.

The school’s faculty includes NEA, Pulitzer Prize, and Jazz Masters winners who guide percussion students through a BM or BME degree. 

Joseph Gramley is the chair of the Percussion Department – a Grammy Award-winning percussionist; he has released many albums and collaborated with artists like Elton John, Renee Fleming, Keiko Abe, and Yo-Yo Ma.

The Jacobs School of Music enrolls 52-60 percussion majors annually. Each faculty member within the department teaches fewer than 20 students per semester, creating an undergraduate teaching ratio of 1:3. 

New students will benefit from the recently built 85,000-square-foot East Studio Building, which is equipped with superior acoustics and a Music Percussion Shop.


Boston Conservatory (Boston, MA)

The Boston Conservatory maintains one of the most individualized student learning environments

On average, the Conservatory employs five faculty members and enrolls just 12 undergraduates. 

Each student may choose to study with a single percussion teacher or divide each semester’s lessons among two to four studio professors, including Samuel Z. Solomon and Nancy Zeltsman.

Solomon has served as a percussionist-in-residence at Harvard and performed with acclaimed musicians like Björk, while Zeltsman has taught at the Boston Conservatory for two decades and organized the Zeltsman Marimba Festival, which provided marimba-playing gigs for more than 600 talented musicians.

In an undergraduate’s first two years of study, they focus on applying new knowledge in ensemble rehearsals and performances. 

The third and fourth years challenge students to focus more on their career goals. Juniors and seniors continue to participate in group and solo recitals.


Rice University Shepherd School of Music (Houston, TX)

Rice University’s percussion program is built upon a solid liberal arts foundation – students pursuing a B.M. degree are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in the humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

The Shepherd School of Music’s Percussion Ensemble is one of the busiest and highest-contributing percussion studios in the United States. 

Working under director and percussion professor Matthew Strauss, undergraduates compete in summer festivals like Tanglewood and Spoleto.

Learning under the tutelage of Matthew Strauss is a coveted gift in the world of percussion. Strauss has performed with groups like the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Houston Symphony, to name a few.


University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Cincinnati, OH)

Performance is at the heart of a Cincinnati Conservatory B.M. degree. 

Throughout their four years of study, undergraduates will engage in a minimum of eight full-time ensemble groups, among other impromptu performances. 

The 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio paves the way for one-on-one attention and feedback.

Russell “Rusty” Burge is a percussion professor and chair of the Department of Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. His career has brought him to some of the best music venues worldwide, and at CCM, he directs the Steelband.

The Steelband is one of many popular ensembles percussionists may participate in during their time at CCM. This band, in particular, focuses on traditional Trinidadian music and gives various indoor and outdoor concerts in the Cincinnati community.


University of North Texas College of Music (Denton, TX)

UNT is perhaps best known for its diverse array of student ensembles

The school’s indoor drumline has emerged victorious at the PASIC College Marching Drumline Competition on 21 occasions! 

In the Afro-Cuban ensemble, undergraduates perform repertoire hailing from the African diaspora in the Spanish Caribbean. 

UNT is one of the first universities to launch a Steelband program, and its three classical percussion ensembles perform new pieces frequently. 

Members of these groups have traveled through Belgium, Poland, Croatia, and France to perform for enthusiastic audiences.

Mark Ford is among the nation’s best marimba artists and percussion instructors. He currently serves as the UNT Percussion Coordinator and has taught for more than 30 years. 

His 2018 book #MarimbaBaby became a best-seller, and students might expect to encounter it in one of their percussion courses.


Northwestern University Bienen School of Music (Evanston, IL)

Northwestern’s Percussion Studio enrolls 20 or fewer students at any one time. These talented students get the chance to perform within various ensembles and work with guest artists like Robin Engelman, Anders Astrand, and Leigh Stevens. 

Applicants can anticipate a challenging final audition process. The recommended repertoire includes selections on the snare drum, timpani, keyboard percussion, and marimba.

Those fortunate enough to gain admittance may apply for need-based financial assistance. Northwestern prides itself on meeting the total demonstrated need of all aid applicants. 

Additionally, the Bienen School of Music awards a limited number of merit-based scholarships to up-and-coming students.

Once admitted to Northwestern, percussion students will study under the guidance of She-e Wu

Wu has performed at and judged various international percussion competitions, including the Paris International Marimba Competition, the Atlanta Snare Drum Competition, and the International Percussion Ensemble Competition.


Ithaca College School of Music (Ithaca, NY)

At the Ithaca College School of Music, undergraduates may pursue up to 60% of their coursework in fields outside of music. 

Percussion studies focus on music history, theory, aural skills, ensemble participation, and repertoire development. Alumni proceed to win Fulbright scholarships and a smattering of regional and national competitions.

Many percussion students take advantage of the MusIC in the Community program, which links students with performing opportunities in the Ithaca area. 

As part of the B.M. in Percussion Performance degree, students give a minimum of two recitals and benefit from weekly private sessions with a trusted faculty member.

Ithaca’s two percussion ensembles are led by Conrad Alexander and Mike Truesdell. Alexander leads the first-year group, and Truesdell leads the upper-level student cohort.


Mannes College of Music (New York, NY)

Mannes’ faculty members have an esteemed reputation within the New York City music scene. Glen Velez, for example, has won multiple Grammy Awards and is considered the “founding father” of the modern frame drum movement. 

His unique style is defined by hand movements, finger techniques, stepping, drum language, and split-tone singing.

Attending school in New York City places students at the steps of major performance venues like the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. 

In addition to performing in small and large ensembles, undergraduates study ear training, dictation, music theory, composition, and entrepreneurship. Mannes is, after all, committed to educating the “whole musician.”

Mannes’ interdisciplinary approach stipulates that all percussion students complete courses required through the CoPA Core

Classes are organized thematically, so undergraduates may anticipate enrolling in courses focused on “Improvisation and Collaboration,” “The Whole Human Artist,” and “Socially Engaged Artistry.”

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