Fall 2023 MECA
Continuing Education Courses
Percussion for the Non-Percussionist: Mallets, Timpani & Accessories
Date
September 18-December 8, 2023
Course Code
7523*
Credits
3 Graduate Credits*
Tuition
$1,125 is due in full with registration. A $15 early bird discount will be applied to course 7523 only until August 31.
Overview
Tired of your percussionists having “pitch anxiety” or not knowing the importance of a quality cymbal crash? This edition of Percussion for the Non-Percussionist will focus on the performance and pedagogy of keyboard instruments and timpani, as well as accessories. Detailed instruction on performance techniques and how to fit these areas into your percussion curriculum will be covered. Join us to help you create a valuable, well-rounded percussion experience for your students.
Concert Bass Drum
Chat sessions will be held from 7-8:30PM CST on the following dates:
Monday 9/18/23
Monday 10/16/23
Monday 11/6/23
Monday 11/20/23
Monday 12/4/23
*Chat sessions are strongly recommended. but not required
* This course is offered at two course levels. Students enrolled in the MMEd program at VanderCook are eligible to enroll for the 500 course number. Students not enrolled in the MMEd program who wish to earn graduate credit as a MECA Continuing Education student should register for the 7000 course number. The difference in credits earned and tuition cost is attributed to the difference in tuition rates for the MMEd and MECA Continuing Education programs. If you are unsure which section is best for you, please contact us directly at [email protected].
Requirements
Chat Session
Prerequisites
Required Text(s)
Concert Bass Drum
Learning Platform Information - Online Courses Only
Schoology is a learning management system that allows you to interact directly with your instructors, fellow students, and members of the greater VanderCook community.
The evening before your class begins, be on the lookout for an email from Schoology with log-in instructions. Once you receive credentials, visit www.online.vandercook.edu to login.
Some courses have specific online chat meeting times (please see course descriptions), while others have a flexible meeting schedule. You can expect all courses to meet together in a live online chat. If a live meeting time doesn’t work, you can work with your instructor to make other arrangements.
More information about Schoology can be found at www.schoology.com
Please see specific software/hardware requirements in the course description.
Online course grades are available within two weeks of the course(s) completion. If you need a transcript, please CLICK HERE to access the online transcript request form. For a faster turnaround time, please submit the transcript request to the registrar prior to the end of your course(s).
Instructor
James Yakas
James Yakas is currently the Director of Percussion Studies at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. He holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of North Texas, a M.M. in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University as well as a Doctoral of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance degree from the University of North Texas.
Dr. Yakas’ diversity in percussion education and performance has led him to many unique opportunities. He spent a total of twelve summers in the drum corps activity spanning from performing as a snare drummer with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps to eventually becoming their Percussion Coordinator and Arranger in 2003. Dr. Yakas has also studied and performed the music of many world cultures including performances with Northern Illinois University’s Steel Band at the World Steelband Festival in Trinidad/Tobago and the Seoul Drum Festival in Seoul, South Korea; Studying Afro-Cuban Drumming with Orlando Cotto and Studying abroad in Ghana with Ethnomusicologist Dr. Steven Friedson, specifically the Ewe Culture of the Volta region.
Dr. Yakas is an endorser of Yamaha Percussion, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Remo Drumheads and World Percussion Instruments and Sabian Cymbals.