Percussion Pedogogue
Committee
As promised,
the following are the ideas that I had in mind for this committee. Before
I begin I would like to introduce those members who have volunteered their
services to this committee, and/or inquired to be of help.
Robert Romeo:
RRomeoPerc@aol.com
Glenn Weber: NJSOP@aol.com
Alan Kinsey: akinsey@bellatlantic.net
Kenneth Piascik: amusik@eclipse.net
What I envision
is the following:
The committee work to propose a list of standards that students should be
expected (for percussion majors in either performance or music education tracks)
to meet upon graduation from a music program in the state of New Jersey.
Research will need to be obtained from each program in the state to determine
similarities and differences along with feedback from each of the percussion
department heads at the given institutions.
A link from the NJPAS website to a pedagogical webpage should be organized
to inform the membership of our work and ask them to share their thoughts
on any of these topics that can be sent to a general e-mail address.
Should there be a change in the current percussion curriculum that is now
in place at most colleges (this being a jazz track and a classical track)?
In addition: 1. Is it wise to offer specializations at the undergraduate level
or should it just be at graduate study? 2. Should the focus be toward proficiency
on all of the major percussion instruments in the classical and jazz/commercial
music genres? 3. Are recitals beneficial to the educative process? 4. Is it
wise to change, expand or eliminate the focus on percussion ensemble and percussion
repertoire classes at the undergraduate level? 5. Are students well aware
of all the avenues open to them prior to graduation, and are they prepared
for those they wish to pursue?
These are just a few of my ideas. I'm certain that each of you will have much
to add. Because each of us live and work in various parts of the state, I
thought it would be helpful to address these concerns via e-mail. Once each
of us has had time to review the other's concerns we can then schedule a date
to meet and discuss these matters with a good understanding of what we wish
to achieve. I believe this meeting can then set the groundwork on who will
focus upon specific areas of interest and how the committee will proceed from
that point on.
Sincerely,
Dom Zarro
DEZarro@aol.com
(201) 262-5656