Drums and Percussion

Settlement student playing timpani
Settlement student playing timpani
There’s a lot going on in the back of the orchestra.

Xylophones, cymbals, marimbas, vibraphones, timpani, gongs, congas, triangles, tambourines, snare drums, castanets, chimes, drum sets – that’s not even close to a complete list, but percussionists learn how to play them all. If it has to be struck with a stick, mallet or even the player’s bare hand to make a sound, it’s a percussion instrument. Apart from singing, drumming is the oldest form of musical expression we know of, and the most ubiquitous – almost every musical style under the sun has some kind of percussive element. 

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Decade by decade, Gavin McCauley takes us through the history of the drumset and drumming styles in this episode of Settlement 101.

Learn about the marimba with Settlement Music School Alum and PMAY Artist, Sydney Vance

Read more about Sydney on WRTI’s website

Decade by decade, Gavin McCauley takes us through the history of the drumset and drumming styles in this episode of Settlement 101.

Learn about the vibraphone with Nora Theberge

Read more about Nora on WRTI’s website

Decade by decade, Gavin McCauley takes us through the history of the drumset and drumming styles in this episode of Settlement 101.

Featured
Percussion
Faculty

Our award winning faculty are
masters of their craft.

William P. Kerrigan

Faculty Percussion Music