1. Student Organization Constitution
The Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble
Dr. William Albin, Director and Faculty Advisor
Peter Boyer, President
Proposal for Student Organization Name Change (from Balinese Gamelan Ensemble)
The purpose of this name change is to assure funding and support of the Concert
and World percussion ensembles is correctly acknowledged. Previously, the African
Drum Ensemble was a subset of the Steel Band organization, while the Concert
Percussion Ensemble was a subset of the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble organization. With
this name change, the Steel Band organization will not be responsible for the African
ensemble, and the new, unified, Percussion Ensemble organization, properly supporting
all three ensembles associated with the percussion studio at Miami University.
The use of funding in this change is crucial, based on the specific instrumental
needs of these three ensembles. With the constant evolution of sound possibilities being
created by contemporary composers, availability of less common percussion instruments
and sound effects is necessary for keeping the ensemble fashion forward. This name
clarification will also allow for funding for upkeep of percussion instruments in all three
groups, instead of only under the Balinese Gamelan title; for instance, were the Balinese
Gamelan to request funding for replacement bass drum heads, it would not make sense.
This unification is solely for the purpose of clarity regarding support of the multiple
facets of the Miami University Percussion Ensemble.
William Albin – Faculty Advisor
The Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble will be a
combination of the Concert Percussion Ensemble, the African Percussion Ensemble and
the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble. Instruments for the world portion of the ensemble have
been collected over several years. Values of instruments are calculated below.
- Balinese Gamelan Instruments – Net Value $12,500 at purchase in 2002
- African Drums, Shekeres, Bells, etc. – Net Value $4,500 at purchase in 1995-96
No instruments had been purchased specifically for the Concert Percussion
Ensemble until this past fall, when the ensemble received its first ever funding from
ASG. This resulted in the purchase of 2 new cymbals and a recording station for the
ensemble. Further funding in Spring 2010 resulted in purchase of a new vibraphone and
completion of a set of timpani. All other equipment was acquired though Music
Department funding and a grant for the Hall Auditorium Renovation Project in 1992-94.
We hope to expand our equipment collection, based on musical needs, over the next
several years.

2. This musical ensemble will be open to all Miami University students. The
ensemble will be offered as a one-credit course, most often a section of MUS 100.
Purpose and Mission
This organization will be offered as diverse musical and cultural experience.
There will be two primary foci. The first focus will be on preparing for public
performances of works in a concert setting, or in educational clinics with nearby schools
and organizations. The second will be the study of religious and social connections within
the different types of music. The collaboration between these three genres of percussion
ensemble will provide an expanded view into other cultures for Miami students.
The Miami World and Concert Percussion Ensemble is already an actively
performing ensemble, holding at least one Performing Arts Series Percussion Ensemble
concert every semester. The ensemble also has been asked to give clinics on Percussion
Ensemble practice, Gamelan history and music, African drumming and several other
various topics within the percussion world. Recent outreaches have taken place at
Anderson High School and Miami University Middletown.
Recent performances by the Percussion Ensemble have included,
2007 Gamelan/African Drumming Workshop, Ohio Music Educators
Association Conference
2008 “Fantastic Free Fridays” concert series, Miami Middletown
2008 President’s Special Service Awards Ceremony
This organization has already obtained some national notoriety through its
selection to appear at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in November
2003. This international organization presents annual conventions with attendance of up
to 5,000. The selection of the Miami University Balinese Gamelan Ensemble for this
convention appearance is a noteworthy honor and demonstrates the intent of this
organization to further the name of Miami University in the area of world music.
Further dedication to spreading Miami University’s name in the world of music is
made evident by the Percussion Ensemble’s recent CD recording. The ensemble recorded
the Percussion Music of Philip Parker, released spring 2009.
Organization Membership
The Miami World and Concert Percussion Ensemble will be open to all Miami
University Students. The organization will offer this as an equal opportunity to anyone

3. interested in membership. The members and faculty involved will particularly work to
recruit minority students as members.
This organization will consist of three branches: Concert Percussion Ensemble,
Balinese Gamelan and African Ensemble. All three will focus on preparation of music
and understanding contextual meaning behind the pieces, whether it is cultural or musical
context.
For the Gamelan and African ensemble, previous musical experience is not
required. Therefore, no formal audition is required for membership. Gamelan ensembles
on the island of Bali are an essential part of religious and cultural ceremonies. Similarly,
drumming is a community event in many African societies, celebrating social activities
and events ranging from marriages to funerals to harvests. All community members are
encouraged to perform in these groups. The same philosophy will be used with the Miami
Gamelan Ensemble and Miami African Percussion Ensemble.
For the Concert Percussion Ensemble, a formal audition or recommendation from
an involved faculty member will be required, as the literature performed in said ensemble
typically requires a higher level of ability in the percussive arts.
Organization Governance
The membership will elect the following officers on an annual basis: president, vice-
president, and secretary/treasurer. The elected officers for 2010/2011 are:
Peter Boyer, President, Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. William Albin is the Faculty Advisor
Contact Information
Name: Peter Boyer
Email: boyerpe@muohio.edu
Org Units: Senior, Music Performance & BA in Music Composition
Campus Phone: 419 296-2114
Campus Address: 909 Arrowhead Drive, Apt 22F; Oxford, OH 45056
Home Phone: 419 999-5539
Home Address: 110 Wildwood Point; Lima, OH 45805
If an officer resigns for any reason, immediate elections will be held by the
organization membership to elect a replacement.
Rehearsal/Meeting Time
Frequent rehearsals are vital to the success of this musical organization. The meeting time

4. will be twice per week for a period of one hour and thirty minutes. Rehearsals will take
place in Presser Hall, where all percussion equipment is currently stored. The normal
rehearsal spaces will be Presser 007 and Presser 20.
Guest Artist Program
The Miami University World and Concert Percussion Ensemble already has
enjoyed guest appearances by many of the world’s premier percussionists in recent years
and is dedicated to continuing this. Guest artist features and residencies provide Miami
students with the opportunity to interact with musicians and dancers who help explain the
cultural contexts for the music to which they have gained expertise in. It is among the
few such cultural experiences available to the Miami University Community from the
percussion world.
In spring of 2009, the Miami University Percussion Ensemble was joined by
internationally acclaimed percussionist Bob Becker, to be featured in a Miami
Performing Arts Series Percussion Ensemble concert at Hall Auditorium.
Recent guest artists and residents have included: Michael Burritt, Kevin Bobo, Valerie
Naranjo, Philip Parker and Gordon Stout.
Rules and Regulations
This organization will be open to all currently enrolled Miami University students. The
financing of this organization will be through allocations by the Department of Music,
grants from external sources including the Associated Student Government, approved
fund raisers, and fees paid for off-campus performances.
This organization pledges that there will be “no discrimination based on race, religion,
color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex (excepted noted in Part XV, Section 1502.C
of the Student Handbook), age, or handicap in the activities, programs, and operations of
the organization or in the selection of members.