Percussion Studio

Studying Percussion at Lamont

At the Lamont School of Music, percussion students thrive in a supportive, collaborative studio environment that encourages both personal and artistic growth. Led by Prof. Michael Van Wirt, the studio is rooted in individual mentorship—lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, with a comprehensive approach that builds well-rounded percussionists through focused study on all major percussion instruments and timpani. Lamont percussionists also study drum set with Prof. Dru Heller and Latin/hand percussion with Prof. Tom Miller, ensuring the depth of training across genres vital to a versatile career. 

Lamont’s percussion program combines intensive musical training with an extraordinary sense of community. With a balanced mix of undergraduate and graduate students, the studio maintains high standards of achievement while fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and camaraderie. Thanks to five dedicated percussion practice rooms, students enjoy consistent access to space and instruments without wait times. And with unbridled access to Lamont’s exceptional collection of percussion instruments, you’ll always perform on professional, world-class equipment.

Your weekly schedule will revolve around your private lesson and regular rehearsals with either the wind ensemble or orchestra. You'll also perform in the Percussion Ensemble each quarter, an annual ragtime xylophone concert, and gain experience in the orchestra pit while performing with Lamont Opera Theatre. Courses in percussion pedagogy and repertoire equip students with familiarity with the broad expanse of percussion repertoire and the foundational knowledge to teach and build their own studios. Frequent percussion performance class offer regular opportunities to perform for peers, receive feedback, and build confidence in a constructive and inclusive setting.

Outside the studio, opportunities abound. Lamont’s size allows for personalized attention and meaningful connections, while the city of Denver offers a vibrant music scene with regional orchestras, gigs, and teaching opportunities. Our students are active performers in the community and often get paid work before they even graduate.

If you’re looking for a place to grow as a musician, artist, and individual, the Lamont’s percussion studio offers a vibrant and supportive home.

Faculty

Lamont percussionists study with Prof. Michael Van Wirt, section percussion with the Colorado Symphony. He has performed with ensembles such as the Houston Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, and Firebird Chamber Orchestra. Prof. Van Wirt was a New World Symphony Fellow. He is head of the percussion department at the Lamont School of Music, where he teaches percussion and timpani, directs the Lamont Percussion Ensemble. Prof. Van Wirt is a Zildjian performing artist, and as a DU alumnus himself, continues Lamont percussion studio’s legacy of excellence.

Life After Lamont

Notable Percussion Alumni

Lamont students have worked with some of the most prestigious music organizations in the world. Alumni have performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolf Trap, Vancouver Symphony, Broadway, the West End, and San Francisco Opera. Lamont composers have premiered works at Carnegie Hall and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and conductors have led orchestras from Brazil to Hungary. Graduates of our Musicology and music theory programs hold posts at prestigious institutions nationwide. And our recording and production students have launched careers in Hollywood, editing soundtracks for films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

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  Joey Glassman - BM 2014

  Percussion, United States Air Force Academy Band

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  Ty Brown - BM 2024

  Principal Timpani, New Mexico Philharmonic

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  Rose Martin - BM 2014

  Percussion and composer, Irisanna