Percussion Ensembles
UWM Percussion Ensembles offer varied experiences for percussion students as well as other music majors, music minors, and non-music majors. These courses have diverse curriculums that combine to address a range of instruments, techniques, and music genres while providing unique opportunities for students to develop into versatile performers. See the individual ensemble descriptions below for more information.
At A Glance
| Ensemble | Members | Audition |
|---|---|---|
| Steel PANthers | Open to all UWM students | YES *Informal audition |
| Percussion Ensemble | Open to all UWM students | YES *Informal audition |
| Community World Music Ensemble | Open to all UWM students and community members | NO |
| Marimba Band | Open percussionists seeking a music major or minor | NO |
Steel PANthers
Auditions & Membership
Membership and enrollment permission is granted after an orientation/audition assessment of a student’s ability. No previous steel band experience is necessary; however, the ability to read music and a good sense of time are recommended.
Percussion Ensemble
The UWM Percussion Ensemble is a chamber ensemble that focuses on diverse repertoire written in the 20th and 21st centuries for percussion. Emphasizing new compositions alongside historically significant contributions to the chamber repertoire, the Percussion Ensemble features the study and performance of a variety of instruments, techniques, and music styles.
Auditions & Membership
Open to any student with percussion experience regardless of major. Interested students must complete a brief interview and informal audition.
Community World Music Ensemble
The Community World Music Ensemble is open to all community members (ages 12 and older) and UWM students with an interest in learning the musical techniques and performance styles of folk and popular genres from different corners of the globe. Regular offerings include Trinidadian steel pan (Steel PANthers) and Guatemalan marimba (Marimba Pantera), with other offerings available on a rotating basis depending on instructor availability.
For more information visit the Community World Music Ensemble page.
Auditions & Membership
Open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels, ages 12+. No audition is necessary. Previous music experience is encouraged but not required. No prior experience on these instruments is required. Enrollment is on a first come first served basis with an opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.
Students seeking college credit should register via PAWS in either MUS 465 (undergraduate) or MUS 465G (graduate). First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Music majors cannot take this in place of their assigned ensemble.
Non-credit students and community members should register through the School of Continuing Education.
Marimba Band
The UWM Marimba Band combines xylophone, marimbas, and a collection of small percussion instruments to provide fun and easy-listening music to audiences of all ages. The repertoire includes a wide array of music, including early xylophone ragtime pieces, foxtrots, novelty to classical transcriptions, and traditional folk tunes from different cultures. Many of the pieces are taken from the “Golden Age” of the xylophone, 1915 to 1935, when virtuoso performers and composers were part of the popular music scene with radio shows, recordings, and sheet music sales. This ensemble is an extra-curricular performing and touring ensemble made up of percussion music majors.
Auditions & Membership
Marimba Band is open only to percussionists seeking a music major or minor.
Music Programs
Music studios and ensembles are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of programs offered by the Department of Music.
Faculty & Directors
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Faculty Member, Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies
- Co-Director, Community World Music Ensemble
- Assistant Professor, Percussion
- Area Head, Percussion
- Director, Percussion Ensemble, Steel PANthers Steel Band, Marimba Band
- wier@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7036
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 394
Undergraduate Entrance Auditions
Music BA/BFA enrollment for Spring & Fall 2026.
• Friday, December 5, 2025
• Friday, February 13, 2026 (voice only)
• Monday, February 16, 2026
• Friday, March 6, 2026
• Friday, April 3, 2026
• Or by video submission
Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester.
Undergraduate Programs
Scotlyn Haverkorn, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763
