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GREGORY R. GAZZOLA 1

Educator Series

PERCUSSION

Raising Expectations for High

School Percussionists Through

Percussion Ensemble Literature

By Greg Gazzola

Gregory Gazzola is currently the Program

Director at the Roland Hayes School of Music

in Boston, MA where he directs musical

studies in brass, woodwinds, strings, vocal,

piano and percussion. Mr. Gazzola directs and

arranges music for the Roland Hayes School of

Music Percussion Ensemble that gained

national recognition in 2000 & 2001 by

placing fourth and second in the Winter Guard

International Championships. He has taught

beginning through advanced levels of

percussion studies at various schools and

colleges for over twenty years throughout Ohio,

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the New

England States. Mr. Gazzola performed with

the Air Force Band of Liberty from 1992 – 1996

and currently freelances throughout Metro

Boston. His educational background includes a

BM from West Virginia University, MM from

Kent State University and Doctoral Studies at

Boston University.

Percussion students are usually the most difficult people to control in a rehearsal. They are not

necessarily bad students but typically, they tend to have the most energy, and they all usually have

drumsticks. This energy level can be an asset if it can be focused into a positive activity. Many times

the percussion parts of a band piece are not as demanding as some of the wind parts; this

sometimes causes a loss of focus from the percussion students. Expecting more from the percussion

students will improve many facets of a high school band rehearsal while improving the musical

abilities of the percussionists.

Raising expectations for high school percussionists through percussion ensemble literature is one way

to improve a rehearsal. This can be accomplished during the band period of a school day by assigning

each percussion student additional music. Each percussion student could be assigned a part for a

percussion ensemble piece; he/she would then be required to learn it during the band period. Having

the student play the percussion part for a grade at a predetermined date can monitor the student’s

progress. Once the students have learned their parts, the ensemble can rehearse during a one-hour

session after school - one day per week. One possible way to schedule a program like this would be

to allow the percussion students to do individual practice time Tuesday and Thursday of each week.

Pros:

1. Idle time for percussion students will be decreased

2. The wind section would have an allotted time each week to focus on specific wind

issues that do not necessarily involve the percussionists

3. The percussionist’s level of playing will improve

4. Full band rehearsals can focus more on full ensemble issues

5. Percussion students will have the opportunity to perform as a percussion ensemble

6. Percussion students would work on becoming versatile percussionists

7. Percussion students would become more engaged during the band rehearsal

8. The percussion ensemble could be used as motivational tool

Cons:

1. Band director has to reorganize rehearsal schedule

2. Additional time will be needed to evaluate percussion students

3. Percussion ensemble music will have to be chosen and purchased

4. Additional time outside of the normal school day will be needed to

rehearse the percussion ensemble

Greg Gazzola

Summary of content (2 pages)

PAGE 1
PERCUSSION Educator Series Raising Expectations for High School Percussionists Through Percussion Ensemble Literature By Greg Gazzola Percussion students are usually the most difficult people to control in a rehearsal. They are not necessarily bad students but typically, they tend to have the most energy, and they all usually have drumsticks. This energy level can be an asset if it can be focused into a positive activity.
PAGE 2
Gregory R. Gazzola This strategy is something with which you may or may not want to experiment. This is a different approach to dealing with the rambunctious students in the back of your band room. If you try it, you may actually be surprised to see your percussionists using their drumsticks on something other than their sneakers! Suggested Ensemble Literature: The following is a list of methods, solos, duets and ensemble literature from the Boston Public School Percussion Program.