Dr. Oliver Molina | Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Percussion Studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Link to Session Handout
Link to PowerPoint Presentation
Session Description:
This session aims to equip music educators with the skills and knowledge to effectively teach and incorporate percussion into their ensembles. Focusing on the transfer value of percussion playing techniques, the session will review the percussion methods course, highlighting common elements that link wind and string instruction to percussion. It will also offer strategies for teaching percussion within a large ensemble setting from the podium.
Percussion encompasses a wide array of instruments, but most playing techniques can be distilled into a few core elements that transfer across different instruments. Understanding how these percussion techniques relate to other instruments in the ensemble is also beneficial. For example, the embouchure or bow hold in wind/string instruments is akin to the grip of a stick or mallet, fingering and bowing correlate to stickings, and breath control and sustain are analogous to rolls.
Session Outline:
1. Percussion Techniques:
- Introduce and demonstrate techniques for various percussion instruments.
- Focus on transfer value in regard to grip, stroke types, rolls, and sound production.
2. Common Elements Approach:
- Discuss principles like posture, dynamics, articulation, and phrasing that apply to both wind/string and percussion instruments.
- Explain how these principles can be adapted for percussion to create sound pedagogy.
3. Teaching Percussion from the Podium:
- Offer practical strategies for integrating percussion into a large ensemble rehearsal.
- Discuss effective rehearsal techniques and common challenges.
- Provide tips on what to listen for and look for to elevate the percussion section’s musical awareness and confidence.
This clinic is designed for non-percussion band directors at all levels who wish to improve their knowledge and instructional skills for percussion instruments. It is suitable for both novice and experienced directors looking for practical techniques and strategies to enhance their ensemble’s performance. This session will empower non-percussion band directors to confidently incorporate and instruct percussion, ultimately enhancing the overall musicality of their bands. Handouts summarizing the clinic will be provided, along with a list of resources for further study. The session will conclude with a short Q&A segment.
Percussion Methods Fall 2024
OLIVER MOLINA 