Led by faculty who are active performers across a range of musical settings, the percussion studio in the UW-Milwaukee Music Department provides a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of a wide variety of percussion instruments and the musical styles in which they are utilized. Diverse opportunities in ensembles and private lessons provide a well-rounded foundation for students to be successful professionals in the twenty-first century. Curriculum emphasizes the development of musicianship, creativity, and cultural awareness in addition to entrepreneurship and modern technological skills. Each student receives an individualized education that thoughtfully considers their past experiences and future career goals to provide a mixture of important curricular topics and student-driven goals.
Additional experiences through collaborations, commissions, and guest artists are also central to the student experience in the Percussion Area. Recent collaborations include a performance with the Dance Department on their Winterdances production and a joint commission and world premiere performance with the Saxophone Studio. The Percussion Ensemble was also a member of the recent Everybody Hits! consortium that commissioned six composers of historically underrepresented groups to write new works for percussion ensemble. The ensemble then gave the Wisconsin premieres of those six new works. Regular visits by guest artists also provide enriching performances, clinics, and presentations as additional diverse experiences on campus.
Graduates of the percussion studio have been accepted into prestigious graduate programs, summer festivals, arts administration roles, and have had a 100% job placement rate in the Wisconsin Public School System.
The Music Department at UW-Milwaukee offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate education within a multifaceted environment of academic disciplines, and is the largest professional degree granting music department in the UW System. Located within the cultural mainstream of a thriving metropolis of over one million people, we serve the greater scholarly and musical communities through academic research, lectures and seminars, performances, and instruction. Our renowned artist faculty and alumni have active professional careers with the Milwaukee & Chicago Symphony Orchestras, Florentine Opera, Present Music, and more. Students perform as soloists, chamber musicians, and with professional Milwaukee-area ensembles while earning their degree!
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UWM Percussion Studio Website UWM Percussion Facebook Page UWM Percussion Instagram Profile
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UWM Percussion is home to the UWM Percussion Ensemble, UWM Steel PANthers Steel Band, and the UWM Marimba Band. For information on booking ensembles, please contact percussion@uwm.edu
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Interested in joining the UWM Percussion Studio?
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate:
BFA and BA Percussion Performance
BFA Music Education
BFA Music History/Literature
BFA Music Composition and Technology
Graduate:
Master of Music (MM)
Advanced Certificate in Chamber Music
Certificate in Music Education
Audition Dates
Friday, December 6, 2025
Monday, February 16, 2026
Friday, March 6, 2026
Friday, April 3, 2026
Application link: uwm.edu/arts/apply
For more information, please visit: uwm.edu/arts/music
For prospective student lessons and additional information, please email Dr. Wier: wier@uwm.edu
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Guests Artists Since 2018
Third Coast Percussion, Quey Percussion Duo, pax duo, Arcomusical, Liam Teague, arx duo, Steven Schick, Fisher/Lau Project, Transient Canvas, Spectrum Ensemble, Escape Ten, Cory Hills, Matthew Coley, She-e Wu, John Tafoya, Michael Spiro, Bob Becker, Heartland Marimba Quartet, Tim Palmer, Michael Vercelli, Chelsea Tinsler Jones, Shane Jones, Clocks in Motion, Sprig of That, Atlas Percussion, Alex Fragiskatos, Josh Graham, Cross//Hatch Percussion, Black Swamp Percussion