Percussion Institute

The MPulse Percussion Institute is a one-week intensive that exposes students to fundamentals and strategies for musical and technical growth with Michigan’s expert percussion faculty. During this week, students will have lessons, classes, and projects centered around marimba, snare drum, timpani, drum set, and percussion ensemble. Additionally, we will explore non-Western musical traditions, improvisation, musical technology, and how to prepare for college auditions.

Dates: July 7 – 13, 2024
Tuition (Including Room & Board): $1,830

Application Status: OPEN
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $75

Email [email protected] if a waiver code is needed for the $75 application fee due to financial need.

Priority Application Deadline: February 1, 2024*
Priority Admissions Notification: March 1, 2024

*Applications will remain open until the program is full. Rolling application submissions will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Please check the application status above to see if we are still accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Faculty

Doug Perkins

Doug Perkins

Associate Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies

Doug Perkins is a percussionist, producer, and conductor declared a “percussion virtuoso” by the New York Times. He has appeared at venues of all types including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Alaskan Tundra. Perkins premiered over 100 works and with such composers as David Lang, Paul Lansky, John Luther Adams, Tristan Perich, Christian Wolff, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Steve Reich. He founded So Percussion, the Meehan/ Perkins Duo, and performs regularly with Ensemble Signal, among others. Perkins’ acclaimed recordings can be heard on the Bridge, Cantaloupe, Harmonia Mundi, New Focus, New World, and Nonesuch labels.

Perkins is Associate Professor of Percussion/ Director of Percussion at the University of Michigan. He previously taught at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Dartmouth College, and was Director of the Chosen Vale International Percussion Seminar and endorses Black Swamp Percussion, Pearl/ Adams, Remo, Vic Firth, and Zildjian instruments, sticks, and mallets.

Ian Antonio

Ian Antonio

Assistant Professor of Percussion

Percussionist Ian Antonio’s breadth of experience – concertizing across four continents with a wide variety of chamber ensembles, orchestras, experimental rock bands, avant-garde theatre companies, and as a soloist, conductor, and educator – has led him to develop a unique sound and approach to both performing and teaching. Ian is a co-director of the Wet Ink Ensemble, a collective of composers, performers and improvisers dedicated to adventurous music-making. He is also a member of the percussion ensemble Talujon and a former founding member of the piano percussion quartet Yarn/Wire and Zs. His playing is frequently featured at prestigious venues across the globe, including Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Edinburgh International Festival, Barbican Centre, and Shanghai Symphony Hall. Ian’s recorded performances can be heard on over 50 albums released by the Nonesuch, Carrier, Kairos, Warp, Tzadik, and Unseen Worlds record labels, among many others.

Tom Sherwood

Tom Sherwood

Lecturer of Winds and Percussion

Tom Sherwood joined the percussion section of the Cleveland Orchestra in September 2015. He previously served as principal percussion of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from 1999-2015. A native of Fairfax, Virginia, his musical career began at a young age when he discovered his father’s old drum set packed away in the garage. He graduated with a bachelor of music degree in percussion performance from the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, where he was a student of Tom Siwe and was the youngest recipient of the Edgard Varese Memorial Scholarship. He subsequently earned a master of music degree from Temple University, studying with Alan Abel. Prior to joining the Atlanta Symphony, he was a member of the New World Symphony in Miami for three seasons. For the past 10 years, Sherwood has also been regularly performing at the Grand Teton Music Festival. He can be heard on over 25 recordings with the ASO and the New World Symphony on the Telarc, Deutsche Grammophon, RCA Red Seal, and ASO Media labels.

Program Sample Schedule

While schedules vary year-to-year, the 2023 schedule will provide insight into the programming provided.

Eligibility & Audition Requirements

MPulse Percussion is open to students entering grades 9 (nine) through 12 (twelve) in Fall of 2024.

Audition Video

Upload a video containing the following items:

  • One snare drum solo or etude (rudimental or solo)
  • One mallet solo or etude (four mallet preferred but two mallet is ok)
  • Optional: We invite you to upload any other video(s) that showcases your musical talents and interests. This might include drum set, timpani, an ensemble performance, and much more.

MPulse Scholarships

Merit Awards

A limited number of scholarships are available for extremely talented students based on Faculty discretion. Consideration for these scholarships is automatic for applications received by the priority application deadline.

Need-Based Awards

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or under in the previous calendar year, or with special circumstances due to the pandemic. To be considered you must upload your financial aid materials by the application deadline as part of your application.  This includes:

  • Monthly Expenses
  • Previous Year’s Tax Return
  • Statement of Need

Watson Scholarship (For Michigan Residents Only)

In the spirit of the life of a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School (1942) and Michigan physician, the Watson A. Young Scholarship promotes academic excellence and college aspiration among students with financial need. These need-based scholarships support middle and high school students’ participation in summer opportunities at U-M that seek to develop students’ interests and abilities in academic disciplines and expose students to the experiences and possibilities provided by higher education.

Watson Scholarship Application

Resources

  • Application Resources: Coming Soon!
  • MPulse Policies: Refund Policy

Questions?

MPulse Summer Performing Arts Institutes
Office of Engagement & Outreach-Youth & Adult Programs
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Stearns Building │ 2005 Baits Drive │ Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Phone: (734) 936-2660
Email: [email protected]