TRYPO's Percussion Institute has two offerings - Percussion Ensemble and Percussion Essentials: Skills Class for students who are eager to experience an in depth participation in all things percussion! Scroll down to learn more about both offerings.
Percussion Ensemble
Though the Percussion Ensemble tends to be made up of mostly YPO and Wind Symphony members, it is also open to students not currently in a TRYPO program! Students are generally from the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area and from as far as West Virginia and Ohio. All ages up to freshman year in college will be considered for this ensemble.
Percussion Ensemble consists of only percussion instruments. Students will have the opportunity to work with many kinds, from instruments ranging from traditional to unconventional in a group setting.
Eliseo Rael is the conductor of Percussion Ensemble. See Artistic Staff for more information about Mr. Rael.
In a typical season, Percussion Ensemble performs two to four concerts per year, sometimes in collaboration with the Duquesne University Percussion Ensemble or the TRYPO Wind Symphony.
Percussion Ensemble currently rehearses on Saturday afternoons. Rehearsals are held at Duquesne University to be centrally located for families in the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Members of YPO and Wind Symphony are automatically accepted into Percussion Ensemble, audition required for any other interested students. See the Join Us page for more information on joining Percussion Ensemble and current openings.
Percussion Ensemble performs new and traditional pieces. Recent repertoire selections have included:
2021-22 Repertoire:
- Stephens – Tomfoolery
- Meyer – Toccata Without Instruments
- Spiesser – 2 Trios Mexicains
- Respighi – Pines of Rome
2020-21 Repertoire:
- Cage – Living Room Music
2019-20 Repertoire:
- Dittgen – Asante
- Daughtrey – Drums of Moria
- Daughtrey – On the Spectrum
2018-19 Repertoire:
- Ramon Meyer – Toccata Without Instruments
- David Mancini – March for Percussion Sextet
- Mark Ford – Coffee Break
- Julie Davila – Stool Pigeon
Tuition
- Total Annual Amount = $400 ($200 for spring only)
- Less $100 Household Discount if the enrolling PE member or another child is enrolled in a TRYPO large ensemble (YPO, SYM, WS), or YC² in the 2023-24 season =-$100 (-$50 for one semester)
- Financial aid and scholarship assistance are always available, and it is easier than ever to ask for what you need. Families should not be discouraged from applying to TRYPO due to financial limitations. Visit our Tuition Assistance page for more information about scholarships.
- Family Discounts: TRYPO offers a family discount for households with a child or children registered in more than one September-May TRYPO program. The first enrolled program will be charged at full price, but all subsequent programs qualify for $50 off per semester ($100/year).
Percussion Essentials: Skills Class
Percussion Essentials: Skills Class is a 10-week course taught by Emmy® award winning percussionist Eliseo Rael. The class is a must for developing hand speed, coordination, and reading abilities. Students who complete this class will be well prepared to audition for TRYPO’s large ensembles and play some of the challenging repertoire found in our Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and YPO. Students who have completed the course will have the Percussion Ensemble audition requirement waived.
Percussion Essentials is designed for students who are typically 12-18 with at least one year experience with percussion instruments. Students should come prepared with sticks and drum pads but do not need to bring any other instruments, as we will provide them.
Eliseo Rael is the conductor of Percussion Ensemble. See Artistic Staff for more information about Mr. Rael.
Percussion Essentials performs in recitals and concerts at Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music.
Percussion Essentials: Skills Class rehearses on Saturdays from 10:30-11:30 AM. Rehearsals are held at Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music. The class sessions will start on February 3, 2024, and run through April 27th, 2024.
There is no audition required to join Percussion Essentials. Interested musicians can register by filling out our Registration Form here.
Tuition
- Total Spring Semester Tuition = $300
- Less $50 Household Discount if the enrolling PE member or another child is enrolled in a TRYPO large ensemble (YPO, SYM, WS), or YC² in the 2023-24 season = $250
- Financial aid and scholarship assistance are always available, and it is easier than ever to ask for what you need. Families should not be discouraged from applying to TRYPO due to financial limitations. Visit our Tuition Assistance page for more information about scholarships.
- Family Discounts: TRYPO offers a family discount for households with a child or children registered in more than one Sep-May TRYPO program. The first enrolled program will be charged at full price, but all subsequent programs qualify for $50 off per semester ($100/year).
