What Does a World Music Graduate Assistant Do?

My job as the World Music Graduate Assistant at West Virginia University is one of the most exciting parts of my life as a percussionist and educator. Every week looks a little different and varies from directing ensemble rehearsals, teaching classes, repairing instruments, preparing for concerts, and helping organize outreach events. The position has given me the opportunity to work with a wide range of musical traditions while gaining experience in teaching, performance, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into performances.

One of the things I enjoy most about this position is the opportunity to work with so many different ensembles. Each group brings its own instruments, traditions, and challenges, which keeps my work interesting and constantly gives me something new to grow in.

Ensemble Direction

I direct seven ensembles as part of the WVU World Music program: Beginner Steel Band, Taiko, Balinese Gamelan, Javanese Gamelan, Latin American Music Ensemble, Brazilian Ensemble, and Middle Eastern Ensemble. Thankfully, we only run two of these classes each semester. Beginner Steel Band runs every semester, and the other classes are on a rotation which gives a good sense of variety.

With the Beginner Steel Band, much of the work involves introducing students to steel pan, historical contexts, helping them develop their technique, and building the ensemble skills needed to perform. A lot of time goes into programming, orchestration, and working with our "in-house" Pan Tuner, Chanler Bailey on repairs and mallet orders.

The other ensembles I direct allows me to grow in learning about areas from around the world. These groups give students opportunities to explore different percussion (and sometimes non-percussion) instruments, traditions, and musical styles from across the world. Each ensemble presents its own learning curve, and part of my job is finding ways to help students understand the music while developing the skills to perform it effectively. Lots of time goes in the semester prior to help ensure that I have the materials and techniques to teach unfamiliar musical traditions to students in an experiential setting.

Teaching and Assisting with Courses

Along with directing my own ensembles, I assist with WVU's African Music and Dance Ensemble and Advanced Steel Band. These groups allow me to work with primarily West and East African music and dance traditions as well as steel pan at a more advanced level. My responsibilities include helping with rehearsals, minor class instruction and admin work, and preparing the ensembles for performances.

I also teach World Percussion Pedagogy and Applied World Music Lessons. World Percussion Pedagogy focuses on the instruments, techniques, and teaching approaches associated with percussion traditions from around the world that are also commonly found in classroom settings. It's fun getting a chance to work with music education majors and ensure that they're able to teach all students and instruments in their classrooms.

Through Applied World Music Lessons, I work with students individually to develop their skills on instruments and in musical traditions that don't fit into our other ensembles. Some individualized instruction moves between the Dagara gyil, dalari drumming, or improving on existing hand drumming techniques.

Teaching both classes and ensembles has been a valuable part of my development as an educator. I enjoy finding different ways to explain musical concepts and helping students make connections between everything they study.

Instrument Repair and Maintenance

A significant part of my job happens outside of rehearsals and classrooms. I am responsible for helping maintain and repair the instruments used throughout the WVU World Music program. This includes everything from general maintenance to more involved repairs, with a particular focus on the program's collection of West African drums.

With so many different instruments being used across ensembles, regular maintenance is essential. Every instrument we use has very different needs and keeping them in good condition helps ensure that students can use them throughout the semester and during performances. WVU reheads all of our djembes "in-house" and we also have other minor repairs across all of our world music ensembles. And let me tell you, polishing steel pans isn't the most fun way to spend a Wednesday night, but these kinds of repairs are essential to keeping the program sounding and looking good.

Instrument repair might not be the first thing people think of when they hear the title World Music Graduate Assistant, but it is an important part of keeping the program running.

Concerts, Outreach, and Program Development

Another major part of my position involves helping bring the ensembles' work to audiences outside of WVU. I assist with ensemble travel, community outreach, concert planning, and promotion. These responsibilities give me experience with the logistical side of things. We often perform in runouts to elementary schools, other parts of West Virginia, and community events. I have also helped lead WVU Steel to competitions in both Virginia Beach and New York City.

I also help manage social media for the program. Social media is an important way to keep students, community members, and our followers up to date about what we do. It also gives us a chance to highlight the variety of musical experiences available through WVU's World Music program. This also gives me the perfect excuse to scroll on Instagram in my office and call it "work"...

Concert planning and promotion bring many of these responsibilities together. With several ensembles performing throughout the year, there is a lot to coordinate behind the scenes. We also put on an annual Indian Music Concert that involves working with guest artists, facility coordination, and promotion. This part of the job isn't super glamorous, but it's another essential part to the program.

Recap

My position at WVU may not exist at many other programs, but it is essential to keeping the WVU World Music Performance Center at the standard of excellence that we have come to know. There are so many opportunities to grow as an educator and performer and to anyone who may be interested in this GA position in the future, be sure to take advantage of all of the opportunities that come along with it! Mike Vercelli, the Director of the School of Music and the Director of the World Music Performance Center is the best mentor and truly pushes me to be the best performer and educator I can be.