What’s new with the UDMB Percussion Section?

The most exciting news is that we have just moved into a brand new 48 million dollar facility. This facility (the Center for the Arts) houses all of the marching percussion equipment and is one of our main rehearsal rooms for the front percussion ensemble.

And speaking of the pit, we just purchased 8 brand new Adams keyboard instruments with height-adjustable Endurance Frames (3 marimbas, 3 vibes, extended range Parsifal bells, and a xylophone), as well as 4 timpani, a brand new drum set rack, and every accessory instrument you can think of from Brazilian Surdos to Caxixi to Paiste Sound Plates.

Next on the purchase list are hand cymbals for the cymbal line. We will purchase new performance cymbals and bags for all cymbal line members (each member will have practice cymbals and bag and performance cymbals and bag).

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How big is the drumline and what kind of gear does the UDMB use?

The pit averages 10 percussionists as well as an electric bass player, we have 7-8 snares, 4-5 tenors, 6 basses, and 7-8 cymbals. There are spots open in each section every season.

The battery uses Pearl Championship Series drums, covers, stands, and carriers. We replace all the drums in the battery every 4-5 years. We have endorsement deals with Innovative Percussion for sticks, mallets, and bags, Pearl and Adams for drums and concert percussion, Remo for drumheads, and Zildjian for cymbals. We even have a deal with StickTape.com. Because of our endorsement deals the equipment is top-of-the-line and meticulously maintained. We go through close to 100 pairs of sticks and mallets in the battery each year and the pit has over 30 different models of mallets to choose from. Drums heads are also plentiful as we go through 3 complete changes each season.

Some other facts: we have a highly trained professional staff for the drumline with at least one instructor for each section. We have students who have gone on to march in some of the best DCA and DCI drum corps in the world (including the DCI World Champion Cavaliers, DCI High Percussion winner Phantom Regiment, and DCA World Champion Reading Buccaneers). We use all of the current technology for writing music (music is written on Sibelius and recorded with Virtual Drumline 2 samples, MP3s and PDFs of the music are sent to each drumline member).

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What are mini camps and when are they?

The percussion section hosts two mini camps during the summer. Please see the UDMB Percussion Website for specific dates.

The mini camps are held at the university (Center for the Arts, Puglisi Orchestra Hall) and give incoming percussionists a chance to play on our instruments, learn our technical style and meet the staff. You will also receive show music and new exercises at these camps. If you can make it down for the day, I highly recommend it. This will greatly increase your chances of getting the spot you want!

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When are auditions and what materials do I need?

Once you have filled out the UDM-BANDER (application--available late MAY) for the band, you can contact me and I will direct you toward our percussion site. This site will have all of the music, exercises, and technique downloads you will need. This site has a page for each section, staff info, MP3 downloads, mini camp info and links to all related sites.

Auditions are held during the first day of band camp (Friday night).

For more information please contact Jim Ancona.
You can also check out the percussion website: http://udmbpercussion.org/

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General information on the percussion sections of the University of Delaware Marching Band.

Contact
ONLINE INTEREST FORM
PERCUSSION EMAIL
CALL: 302-831-4951

FAQs
Percussion News
Section Size/Gear
Mini-Camps
Auditions/Materials

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Woodwind Info
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Colorguard/Twirler Info

Other Important Links
UDMB Main Website
UDMB Photo Gallery
University of Delaware
UD Department of Music