To expose students to the music written for percussion ensemble, to help students develop technique(s) on a myriad of instruments while contributing musically, and to present musical situations with and without a conductor. The percussion parts in a percussion ensemble differ drastically from those found in traditional orchestral and band percussion scores in that most performers must be not only rhythmically proficient, but melodically, harmonically and texturally expressive.  Graduate students may have the opportunity to direct a piece in this ensemble to help them in their abilities to teach, coach, and conduct.