Percussion at Penn State

The Penn State Percussion Studio is led by Dr. Lee Hinkle. Each student in the percussion studio will be offered an hour-long weekly private lesson with Dr. Hinkle. Their experience is further enhanced by a weekly studio class, Percussion Ensemble I, Percussion Ensemble II, Mallet Ensemble, guest artists, and travel for special off-campus events.

The Penn State Percussion Ensembles I & II and Mallet Ensemble are open by audition to majors, minors, and non-majors alike and present a unique opportunity for students to learn basic to advanced chamber music skills. The percussion groups perform from a vast repertoire of original works and transcriptions. The students perform with and without a conductor and spend time working on cueing, blending, intonation, musicality, playing solos and accompaniments, and working with others in a fun and challenging environment. The percussion groups, all of which rehearse weekly, offer a joint concert each semester in the Recital Hall.

Every semester, Dr. Hinkle invites professional percussionists and drummers to come to the Penn State campus to give recitals and masterclasses as well as to special events such as the Vibraphone Century Festival (2022), Iannis Xenakis celebration (2023), Percussion @ Penn State Festival & Conference (2024), Percussion @ Penn State Marimba Festival & Competition (2025). Recent guest artists have included Nancy Zeltsman and David Cossin (Bang on a Can All-Stars).

Music majors go on to a variety of careers, including band directors, orchestral musicians, commercial musicians, music therapists, business owners, music historians, composers, repair technicians, sound designers, and concert percussionists.

At Penn State, Dr. Hinkle emphasizes the critical mentoring role played by a teacher and tailors his instruction to each individual student’s professional goals. During your studies at Penn State University, he will help you realize your hopes and dreams for the future.