UA PERCUSSION STUDIO     Percussion Studies at The University of Arizona are designed to develop in the percussionist the highest possible level of musicianship and an appropriate competency in performance and teaching, depending on the curriculum of study the student pursues.     The University of Arizona percussion faculty includes Dr. Norman Weinberg, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies (office 124) and Robin Horn, Artist-in-Residence and Coordinator of Percussion Technology (office/studio 110E) specializing in advanced drum set instruction and percussion technology application. Graduate Teaching Assistants, Josh Armstrong and Eric Hines, provide additional instruction and mentoring for students, direct the steel band program, and assist with the marching band percussion, percussion methods class, and percussion ensembles.     The percussion curriculum is designed to present a relevant sequence of study of all the percussion instruments throughout each degree program. Musical performance skills, historical and stylistic understanding, and pedagogical concepts of education will be acquired through the following:    • The mastery of a technical facility and understanding of concepts of phrasing that will enable the student to perform with sensitivity and musical expression on percussion instruments.    • The cultivation of an understanding of the interrelations of mental and physical (psycho-physiological) aspects involved in the learning of musical skills and the performance of music.    • Performance of a cross-section of literature in all styles and areas of percussion.    • The development of the ability to read at sight.    • Experience in solo and ensemble performance.    • Regular attendance and participation in weekly percussion master classes and recitals.    •The cultivation of an understanding of teaching procedure and practice, pedagogical systems, and rehearsal and conducting techniques. Observation of the working procedure in the private studio, master classes, and ensemble rehearsals is relevant to these goals.     The student’s scholarly and applied preparation and performance of materials while enrolled in percussion studies should:    • Reflect his or her progressive understanding and mastery of tone production and technical development on the respective percussion instruments. This should include concepts of rhythmic understanding, dynamic observance and control, technical velocity, pitch accuracy, and articulation and phrasing with touch and finesse.    • Continually demonstrate an awareness of the mental aspects involved in achieving high quality musical expression in performance and teaching.    • Show a clear understanding of the selected music with regards to musical style and form, including the ability to verbalize about the historical relevance and placement of the piece, its tonality framework and/or compositional techniques employed. Performance should be stylistically correct with regard to the rhythmic, articulation and phrasing concepts of the period and style.    • Be musically meaningful considering the student’s instinctive talents and level of achievement.