American Percussion Seminar

June 3 – June 7, 2024

The American Percussion Seminar is an exciting five-day seminar designed to serve high school, college, and professional level concert percussionists. Activities include private and group lessons with world class instructors, master classes, clinics, student and faculty performances, and technique labs focused on all aspects of keyboard percussion performance. Participants will also play in percussion ensembles directed by the seminar faculty.

The American Percussion Seminar includes sessions on jazz vibraphone in which students will have lessons and master classes on improvisation with jazz vibraphonist Ed Smith (UNT and SMU percussion faculty member).

The seminar begins with check in at 8:30am on Monday. The seminar will conclude with an ensemble concert on Friday afternoon. Participants have the option to arrive a day early and stay the final night of the seminar for an additional fee if needed.

Guest Artists

Eric Sammut, Marimba

In 1995, after receiving the First National Marimba Prize of Asbury Park (NJ, USA) , Eric Sammut undertook a recital tour and gave masterclasses in the United States, Europe and Asia. He also began teaching marimba in Toulouse in 1995, as well as at the NRC in Paris and the Royal Academy of Music in London and Glasgow, in addition to being principal percussionist with the Orchestre de Paris. Since 1994, Eric has composed a number of pieces for marimba solo and ensembles published in France, the United States, Norway and Japan.

After participating in numerous CD and video productions with the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre National de l’Opera de Lyon and Orchestre de Paris, he produced the CD Four-Mallet Ballet — an album for solo marimba in 2005. A new CD, Mirages, was realized in 2008 with musicians Philippe Berrod, Eric Echampard , David Patrois and the String Quintet of the Orchestre de Paris.

In October 2015, he played as soloist the « sonate for 2 percussions and 2 pianos » by Bela Bartok accompanied by the Orchestre de Paris and conducted by Esa Pekka Salonen.

Eric Sammut is a Malletech artist. His newest CD, Sailing in Seoul, includes his own concerto for marimba and concerto for vibes. His last composition " Stone Fries Ballad" Duo for Marimba and Pan Flûte was premiered in February 2023 in Normandie, France.

Miyoune Kim, Percussionist

Miyoune Kim is a percussionist of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra(SPO) which she joined in 2005 after being appointed by maestro Myung-Whun Chung.

Since winning the 3rd Universal Marimba Competition held in Belgium in 2007, Kim began gaining recognition as a percussionist, being invited to give her debut recital at PASIC and giving solo performances and recitals throughout Korea and internationally. Her performances include Classic Star Series at the Seoul Arts Center, Seoul Drum Festival (Korea), IKMMA (Poland), Journée de la Percussion (France), the 4th Universal Marimba Competition and Festival (Belgium). In 2017, Kim performed Bach’s Gold Variation on marimba with Koen Plaetinck at Bach Festival in Gent and Concertgebouw Brugge.

As a sought-after musician, Kim has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Philharmonic, Seongnam Philharmonic and the Hwaum Chamber Orchestra. Kim is also an avid chamber musician, frequently performing on the SPO’s Chamber Music Series, Seoul Spring Festival and is a performing artist at the Pyeongchang Music Festival. When it comes to orchestra appearances, she has been featured as a guest artist with Orchestre de Paris, the Sejong Soloists and the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra. As a member of SPO, Kim has performed in multiple international tours and can be heard in all recordings with Myung-Whun Chung for the Deutsche Grammophon label. One of the highlights as a percussion member of SPO also features performances as a key player in the contemporary music series, Ars Nova (2006-2018), directed by the composer, Unsuk Chin. Furthermore, Kim performed the world premiere of Eric Sammut’s Destiny with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in 2021, a commission written for her. Kim’s performance of double-role, on both marimba and vibraphone, of Emmanuel Séjourné’s Losa can be seen on SPO’s YouTube channel.

Kim received her Bachelor’s degree from Chung-Ang University College of Music, then continued studying with Frédéric Macarez and Eric Sammut at the Conservatoire Superieur de Paris-CNR from which she graduated with the First Prize. She further studied at the postgraduate level on the Marimba at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp with Ludwig Albert. Kim maintains collaborative relationship with her mentor, Eric Sammut, giving duo concerts and can be heard performing together on Kim’s album, ‘The Moment’, on the Sony Classical label.

Kim is also an active educator. She promotes percussion music through numerous television and radio broadcasts, printed media, performance and pedagogy throughout Korea. Kim currently serves as an adjunct professor at Chung-Ang University and also teaches at Seoul Arts High School and Yewon School for the Arts.

Miyoune Kim is an Adams Percussion Artist and is endorsed by the Cosmos Corporation in Seoul, Korea.

Faculty

Mark Ford - University of North Texas – American Percussion Seminar Host (https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/mark-ford)
Dave Hall - University of North Texas (https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/david-hall)
Sandi Rennick - Santa Clara Vanguard, University of North Texas, and Texas A&M University-Commerce (https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/sandi-rennick)
Ed Smith - University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University (https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/ed-smith)
Plus guest clinicians including Quincy Davis, drum set and others! (https://music.unt.edu/faculty-and-staff/quincy-davis)

TUITION & FEES

Tuition - $600 (includes seminar t-shirt and $30 non-refundable registration fee)
Boarding - $230 (includes housing and meals)
$60 each additional night (June 2 and/or June 7)
Commuter meal plan (optional) - $120 (lunch and dinner only)
Commuter parking permit (optional) - $15

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

May 15, 2024

REGISTRATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Full payment is due at the time of registration
Refunds requested by May 15, 2024 will be honored less a processing fee (2.9% of total amount paid + $0.30) and the $30 non-refundable registration fee.
Refund processing can take up to 60 days.
We are unable to process refunds requested after May 15, 2024.
No refunds will be made should a participant be dismissed from the seminar for violating UNT policy or seminar rules provided on the first day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Residence Halls: Participants under 18 years of age will reside in Bruce Hall in double occupancy rooms. Workshop counselors will reside on each floor, conduct room checks each evening, and travel with minor participants to and from meals, the music building, and other locations on campus. Participants 18 years of age and over will reside in a different hall in single occupancy rooms.

Airport Shuttle Service: Due to the size of the seminar, we are unable to offer a UNT shuttle to and from the airports. Participants are responsible for their own transportation if needed.