DR. ROB BRIDGE
Onondaga Community College
OCC PERCUSSION STUDIO
OCC PERCUSSION AND DRUM SET STUDIOS
Students follow a prescribed curriculum that is both rigid enough to meet national benchmarks and flexible enough to allow individual creativity.
LEARNING BY DOING
OCC has a variety of performing ensembles including: Wind Ensemble; Percussion Ensemble; African Percussion Ensemble; Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble; Ragtime Marimba Ensemble; Jazz Band; Improv Classes; Choir; Indoor Drum Line; and many more!
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN
OCC offers students a variety of experiences beyond the traditional percussion experience. We believe studying the music of various cultures enhances everything that we do.
COURSES I TEACH:
MUS 111P, 112P, 211P, 212P
APPLIED PERCUSSION
Private Percussion Lessons
MUS 121P, 122P, 221P, 222P
PERCUSSION REP CLASS
Classroom instruction in percussion. We usually start with SD fundamentals in the fall and then move on to 4-mallet marimba technique. The spring class focuses on timpani. There are also sections on accessory instruments and Latin percussion.
MUS 111A, 112A, 211A, 212A
APPLIED DRUM SET
Private Drum Set Lessons
MUS 151E, 152E, 251E, 252E
WIND ENSEMBLE
This is OCC's concert band.
MUS 151P, 152P, 251P, 252P
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Traditional Percussion Ensemble as well as Ragtime, African, Middle-Eastern, Cuban, and various other styles.
MUS 101T & 102T
MUSIC THEORY
These are the first two semesters of the four semester Music Theory block. I love these classes! It’s really interesting to break the music down and understand how it is made. (We also have some fun with “why” it’s made!)
MUS 101R & 102R
MUSIC READING
This is our sight singing and ear training class. These skills are vital to every musician and I am excited to be teaching this course!
QUICK LINKS TO EDUCATIONAL PDFS
free for anyone that needs them : )
I have a bunch of PDFs that may be helpful to you. More can be found on the downloads page here.
RUDIMENTAL SNARE DRUM PACKET
This is a great packet of exercises for drummer at all levels.
BEGINNER LEVEL DRUM SET EXERCISES
Good for starting out with either reading or playing your first beats.
BASIC SWING EXERCISES
Just a few exercises to get you going.
ABOUT ROB BRIDGE
Robert Bridge is a Professor of Music at Onondaga Community College where he has been honored with many awards: he is a 2023 inductee into the New York State Percussion Circuit Hall of Fame; 2018 Civic Morning Musicals Ruth Edson Award for outstanding contributions to the Syracuse musical community; 2014 Ralph R. Whitney Jr. Award from the OCC board of trustees; 2014 the National Society of Leadership and Success's Excellence in Teaching Award; 2013 International Center of Syracuse's International Educator Award. In 2012, he was honored with the State University of New York’s "Chancellor’s Award for Scholarship and Creative Activities." In the fall of 2010 he performed a solo recital and taught at the Shenyang International Percussion Festival in Shenyang, China. In 2009, he earned the Ann Felton Multicultural Leadership Award. He received Trustee Recognition awards for “Excellence in Teaching” in both 2007 and 2005. He is also a 2005 recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development "Excellence Award." In addition to his duties at OCC, Robert also teaches percussion at Lemoyne College; and, he serves as a percussion arranger and instructor for the Syracuse University Marching Band.
Robert has degrees from the University of North Texas (B.M.E.), Southern Methodist University (M.M.), and the Eastman School of Music (D. M. A.). In 1995 he was awarded the Eastman School’s “Performer’s Certificate”. He has performed concertos with the Eastman Kilbourn Orchestra and the Southern Methodist University Symphony Orchestra. In both 1985 &1986, Robert won first place at the Percussive Arts Society’s “Marching Percussion Forum” Individual Marimba Competition.
Robert currently serves as President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 78; and, as Secretary for the NY State chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. He is the immediate Past-President of the Society for New Music. He is also a Past-President of the New York State Percussion Circuit. He serves as a Elder and Trustee at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse.
Robert has twice been selected to present his research at the Percussive Arts Society's International Convention - "Traditional Performance Practices in the Timpani Parts of Beethoven's Symphonies" (1999) and "An Overview of Steve Reich’s Sextet” (2002.) Robert has performed as a solo marimbist in many venues including "Days of Percussion" in Virginia, Long Island, and Kingston, Ontario. Robert also performs regularly in the Syracuse area including performances with the Society for New Music and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and can be heard on commercial recordings of both groups. His compositions for percussion are published by Warner Brothers and Kendor. He is an artist endorser for Yamaha Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion mallets and sticks.