University of South Florida
Percussion Ensemble

The University of South Florida Percussion and Marimba Ensembles are known throughout the United States for their performances of new music and sophisticated chamber repertoire.

With several CD recordings to their credit, the USF Percussion Ensemble is among the most recorded groups of its genre. A CD of music written especially for the ensemble, entitled Premiers Vol. I, was released by C. Alan Publications of Greensboro, North Carolina. Other recordings include numerous Bonk Festival compact discs, a CD with NYC flutist Margaret Lancaster in 1999, a 2003 disc of Houston-based composer Dan Adams' works for percussion ensemble.
 
The percussion program normally maintains an enrollment of 20 majors. These students also play in a variety of other ensembles, wind groups, orchestras and jazz groups. Each percussion major is required to study and perform on all the major percussion instruments. The objective is to produce a student who is well-rounded and versatile enough to perform everything from symphonic orchestra and chamber literature to jazz and commercial styles.

Drum set study is included for those that are interested. USF and director Robert McCormick are especially proud of the many percussion ensemble alumni that have gone on to great careers in music.