Student Organization ConstitutionThe Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble

Dr. William Albin, Director and Faculty AdvisorPeter Boyer, President

Proposal for Student Organization Name Change (from Balinese Gamelan Ensemble)

The purpose of this name change is to assure funding and support of the Concert and World percussion ensembles is correctly acknowledged. Previously, the African Drum Ensemble was a subset of the Steel Band organization, while the Concert Percussion Ensemble was a subset of the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble organization. With this name change, the Steel Band organization will not be responsible for the African ensemble, and the new, unified, Percussion Ensemble organization, properly supporting all three ensembles associated with the percussion studio at Miami University.

The use of funding in this change is crucial, based on the specific instrumental needs of these three ensembles. With the constant evolution of sound possibilities being created by contemporary composers, availability of less common percussion instruments and sound effects is necessary for keeping the ensemble fashion forward. This name clarification will also allow for funding for upkeep of percussion instruments in all three groups, instead of only under the Balinese Gamelan title; for instance, were the Balinese Gamelan to request funding for replacement bass drum heads, it would not make sense. This unification is solely for the purpose of clarity regarding support of the multiple facets of the Miami University Percussion Ensemble.

William Albin – Faculty Advisor

The Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble will be a combination of the Concert Percussion Ensemble, the African Percussion Ensemble and the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble. Instruments for the world portion of the ensemble have been collected over several years. Values of instruments are calculated below.

- Balinese Gamelan Instruments – Net Value $12,500 at purchase in 2002 - African Drums, Shekeres, Bells, etc. – Net Value $4,500 at purchase in 1995-96

No instruments had been purchased specifically for the Concert Percussion Ensemble until this past fall, when the ensemble received its first ever funding from ASG. This resulted in the purchase of 2 new cymbals and a recording station for the ensemble. Further funding in Spring 2010 resulted in purchase of a new vibraphone and completion of a set of timpani. All other equipment was acquired though Music Department funding and a grant for the Hall Auditorium Renovation Project in 1992-94. We hope to expand our equipment collection, based on musical needs, over the next several years.

This musical ensemble will be open to all Miami University students. The ensemble will be offered as a one-credit course, most often a section of MUS 100.

Purpose and Mission

This organization will be offered as diverse musical and cultural experience. There will be two primary foci. The first focus will be on preparing for public performances of works in a concert setting, or in educational clinics with nearby schools and organizations. The second will be the study of religious and social connections within the different types of music. The collaboration between these three genres of percussion ensemble will provide an expanded view into other cultures for Miami students.

The Miami World and Concert Percussion Ensemble is already an actively performing ensemble, holding at least one Performing Arts Series Percussion Ensemble concert every semester. The ensemble also has been asked to give clinics on Percussion Ensemble practice, Gamelan history and music, African drumming and several other various topics within the percussion world. Recent outreaches have taken place at Anderson High School and Miami University Middletown.

Recent performances by the Percussion Ensemble have included,

2007 Gamelan/African Drumming Workshop, Ohio Music Educators Association Conference

2008 “Fantastic Free Fridays” concert series, Miami Middletown

2008 President’s Special Service Awards Ceremony

This organization has already obtained some national notoriety through its selection to appear at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in November 2003. This international organization presents annual conventions with attendance of up to 5,000. The selection of the Miami University Balinese Gamelan Ensemble for this convention appearance is a noteworthy honor and demonstrates the intent of this organization to further the name of Miami University in the area of world music.

Further dedication to spreading Miami University’s name in the world of music is made evident by the Percussion Ensemble’s recent CD recording. The ensemble recorded the Percussion Music of Philip Parker, released spring 2009.

Organization Membership

The Miami World and Concert Percussion Ensemble will be open to all Miami University Students. The organization will offer this as an equal opportunity to anyone

interested in membership. The members and faculty involved will particularly work to recruit minority students as members.

This organization will consist of three branches: Concert Percussion Ensemble, Balinese Gamelan and African Ensemble. All three will focus on preparation of music and understanding contextual meaning behind the pieces, whether it is cultural or musical context.

For the Gamelan and African ensemble, previous musical experience is not required. Therefore, no formal audition is required for membership. Gamelan ensembles on the island of Bali are an essential part of religious and cultural ceremonies. Similarly, drumming is a community event in many African societies, celebrating social activities and events ranging from marriages to funerals to harvests. All community members are encouraged to perform in these groups. The same philosophy will be used with the Miami Gamelan Ensemble and Miami African Percussion Ensemble.

For the Concert Percussion Ensemble, a formal audition or recommendation from an involved faculty member will be required, as the literature performed in said ensemble typically requires a higher level of ability in the percussive arts.

Organization Governance

The membership will elect the following officers on an annual basis: president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer. The elected officers for 2010/2011 are:

Peter Boyer, President, Secretary/TreasurerDr. William Albin is the Faculty Advisor

Contact Information

Name: Peter BoyerEmail: boyerpe@muohio.eduOrg Units: Senior, Music Performance & BA in Music CompositionCampus Phone: 419 296-2114Campus Address: 909 Arrowhead Drive, Apt 22F; Oxford, OH 45056Home Phone: 419 999-5539Home Address: 110 Wildwood Point; Lima, OH 45805

If an officer resigns for any reason, immediate elections will be held by the organization membership to elect a replacement.

Rehearsal/Meeting Time

Frequent rehearsals are vital to the success of this musical organization. The meeting time will be twice per week for a period of one hour and thirty minutes. Rehearsals will take

place in Presser Hall, where all percussion equipment is currently stored. The normal rehearsal spaces will be Presser 007 and Presser 20.

Guest Artist Program

The Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble already has enjoyed guest appearances by many of the world’s premier percussionists in recent years and is dedicated to continuing this. Guest artist features and residencies provide Miami students with the opportunity to interact with musicians and dancers who help explain the cultural contexts for the music to which they have gained expertise in. It is among the few such cultural experiences available to the Miami University Community from the percussion world.

In spring of 2009, the Miami University Percussion Ensemble was joined by internationally acclaimed percussionist Bob Becker, to be featured in a Miami Performing Arts Series Percussion Ensemble concert at Hall Auditorium.

Recent guest artists and residents have included: Michael Burritt, Kevin Bobo, Valerie Naranjo, Philip Parker and Gordon Stout.

Rules and Regulations

This organization will be open to all currently enrolled Miami University students. The financing of this organization will be through allocations by the Department of Music, grants from external sources including the Associated Student Government, approved fund raisers, and fees paid for off-campus performances.

This organization pledges that there will be “no discrimination based on race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex (excepted noted in Part XV, Section 1502.C of the Student Handbook), age, or handicap in the activities, programs, and operations of the organization or in the selection of members.