Percussion Ensemble

UTRGV Percussion students group photo

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Music is the cultural leader of the Rio Grande Valley. We provide creative and innovative opportunities for experiencing the world and encouraging new ways of thinking about music research, performance, and education. The School of Music is home to over 400 music students and 53 faculty. Our faculty and students are engaging in research, creative works, performing, and competing at national and international locations in Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and across the United States. When you become a part of the UTRGV School of Music community, you will open the doors to incredible opportunities, exponential growth, and invaluable professional and personal friendships.

The UTRGV Percussion Studio offers multiple avenues for educational and artistic development under the guidance of Dr. Mark Joseph Ramírez, Dr. Marco Schirripa, and Graduate Assistant Mauricio Castellano. Students have the opportunity to perform with the UTRGV Percussion Chamber Ensemble, Marimba Ensemble, Afro-Cuban Ensemble, African Ensemble, Brazilian Ensemble and UTRGV Indoor Winds and Percussion Ensemble. Since the inception of these ensembles, students have performed an extensive variety of repertoire by composers such as Toru Takemitsu, Minoru Miki, Amadeo Roldan, John Cage, Lou Harrison, Edgard Varese, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Dave Hollinden, Irwin Bazelon, David Gillingham, Emmanuel Séjourné, Alejandro Viñao, Ney Rosauro, Gordon Stout, Nebojsa Nivkovic, Michael Burritt, Casey Cangelosi, Mark Ford, Ivan Trevino, and Mark Ramirez. The UTRGV Percussion Studio believes in fostering an autonomous student experience. This philosophy has lead to the development of the Phi Boota Roota National Percussion Fraternity and the RGV Percussion Club. These student organizations are essential to providing a more enriching university experience.

The UTRGV Percussion Studio and student-led organizations’ initiatives are: to recognize and foster, in the percussionist, the highest possible level of musicianship and artistry; provide a forum in which percussionists can share and exchange knowledge of the percussive arts at the local, national, and international levels of education and performance; engage in continuing education through percussive-related activities; and to develop the capacity to become successful artists and educators. Students of the UTRGV Percussion Studio have participated in conferences held at James Madison University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Troy University, University of West Alabama, University of Southern Mississippi, Western Oregon University, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.