Using djembes as the primary teaching tool, the ensembles perform traditional West African pieces for enthusiastic audiences. As the newest addition to the LRPP , the Steel Drumming Ensembles were formed in June of 2000 and have since found the crowd appeal to be overwhelming. Like the African Ensembles, these groups perform often to ethnic hungry audiences. The groups perform traditional Caribbean tunes as well as pop and Top 40. The drums themselves were paid for by a local arts council grant and private donors.
Enrollment is limited and experience in percussion is required.
The Percussion Ensembles are the premier groups of the program. Viewed as the main source of education, participation in the percussion ensembles provide the maximum experience on all the major areas of percussion. Placement into the different ensembles is based on experience and ability. The percussion ensembles tour once a year to schools, perform at the downtown festival Oktoberfest , and give a concert in the Fall and Spring semesters.