PERCUSSION at EMU

EMU Drumline

John Dorsey, Percussion Instructor

Jason Ihnat, Percussion Assistant and Arranger

Acceptance into the Drumline is based upon audition. Auditions are normally held in late April or early May. Auditions for the 2008 EMU Marching Band Drumline will be held in early to mid-May, 2008. All positions are open to every student and you may try out on as many instruments as you wish. All prospective members should thoroughly prepare for their first instrument of choice, though it is advantageous to review audition materials for all instruments, as we usually cannot accommodate everyone's first preference.

In addition to EMU warm-up exercises and excerpts from previous shows, auditions will also consist of the following:

SNARE DRUM: A rudimental style snare drum solo of your choice (an existing published work; 1 - 2 minutes in length)

MULTI-TENORS (QUINTS): EMU Tenor Audition Solo

BASS DRUM: EMU Bass Drum Audition Etude (Duet)

CYMBALS: EMU Cymbal Audition Etude (Duet)

Students should be prepared to mark time (march in place) while playing. All instruments should be prepared to sight read.

Members should anticipate at least one Saturday rehearsal in June, July and August preceding "Band Camp", typically held one week prior to the beginning of the Fall term. These sessions focus on proper playing fundamentals and familiarizing students with EMU's approach to marching percussion technique, style and musicianship as well as playing through music, exercises and cadences. During the Fall term, in addition to the regular Marching Band rehearsals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 to 6:00pm, Drumline sectionals are held on Monday evenings from 7:00pm - 9:00pm and Friday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00.

To request audition materials, please contact Professor Dorsey. Audition materials are usually mailed in early to mid-April.

Jason Ihnat, Percussion Assistant and Arranger with the EMU Marching Band since 2001, holds an undergraduate degree in music education from Wayne State University and is currently working on his Master of Music Education degree at EMU. Jason brings with him a wealth of experience—as a percussionist and as a clinician, director, and arranger. He is currently the director and arranger for the Eastside Fury Percussion Ensemble in Macomb Township and on staff with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps as an instructor for the front ensemble. Previously he has also served as band director with the Memphis (Michigan) public schools, a teaching assistant in the L’Anse Creuse High School music program, percussion instructor and arranger for the Novi, L’Anse Creuse, Clinton, and Lakeland High Schools, the Kiwanis Kavaliers and as Caption Head with the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps. He has also been a percussionist with the Cadets of Bergen County and with Northern Aurora Drum and Bugle Corps. In 2000 Jason was certified as an “Education Team Member” by the Vic Firth percussion company. He has served on the Michigan color Guard Circuit’s Board of Directors as the Percussion Liaison since 2001.