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Rob Brandon
Adjunct Music Faculty
Rob Brandon
rbrandon@worcester.edu
Faculty Office
Office Hours:
Virtual by appointment only

Bio

I began playing music in 1995 when he was six years old. I studied piano for six years at Indian Hill Music School in Littleton, Massachusetts and switched to drum set when I was 12 years old.

I graduated in the spring of 2016 from The University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Music degree with a double major in Afro-Cuban Percussion Performance and Recording Arts. In August 2023, I graduated from Boston University with a Master’s Degree in Music Education. 

In September 2024, I began teaching here at Worcester State University! I teach African Drumming, Afro-Cuban Applied Music Lessons, Computers and Music/Digital Music Creation I, Sound Synthesis/Digital Music Creation II, and the History of the Drum.

MU-222 African Drumming

This course is an introduction to a selection of drumming styles from the Ewe (Eh-weh) people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Students will learn how to play African drums and auxiliary percussion instruments in a collaborative environment and participate in a performance at the end of the semester. Students will concomitantly be introduced to Ewe culture. Prior musical training is not required and there are no prerequisites for this course.
Every semester - 3 credits LASC Categories: GP or CA

MU-102 Afro-Cuban Percussion Applied Lessons

This course is an introduction/further instruction on the congas, timbales, bongo, or drum set. Students will work in a one-on-one setting to establish fundamental skills that can be used in an Afro-Cuban ensemble and applied to other genres of music. Students will concomitantly be introduced to Afro-Cuban culture. Prior musical training is not required and there are no prerequisites for this course.
Every semester - 1 credit LASC Categories: ICW

MU-275 Digital Music Creation I

This course is an introduction to using Ableton Live 12 and MIDI devices for digital music composition. Students will also learn about fundamental acoustic principles, basic signal processing, and perception of sound. Prior musical training is not required and there are no prerequisites for this course.
Spring Semester - 3 Credits LASC Categories: CA or NSP

MU-375 Digital Music Creation II

This course is a continuation of the material covered in Digital Music Creation I, building upon previously acquired skills to further explore techniques using Ableton Live. Students will learn additional elements of signal processing, sound synthesis, enhance their perception of sound, and learn how to mix another musical artists’ multitrack session. Digital Music I is a prerequisite for this course.
Fall Semester - 3 Credits LASC Categories: CA or NSP

MU-410-04 History of the Drum

This three credit course explores the evolution of drums from prehistoric times to the present day. Students will learn about the historical development and transcontinental journey of drums, identify drum types by their sound and construction, the social and cultural importance of drums in different societies, and research influential drummers. Students will take part in short one-on-one drum lessons at the end of the semester to develop/enhance rhythmic skills. Prior musical training is not required and there are no prerequisites for this course.
Spring Semester - 3 Credits LASC Categories: GP
2023
MA Music Education
Boston University
2015
BSA Afro-Cuban Percussion Performance and Recording Arts
University of Colorado Denver
2007
High School Diploma
Concord Carlisle High School