Whitworth welcomes Professor Leigh Wilson into the music department as the new percussion instructor this fall. Wilson was offered the instructor position at Whitworth after winning a principal percussion position with the Spokane Symphony.
This is Wilson’s first year teaching percussion at the university level, though he has helped instruct middle school percussionists and youth orchestras in Boston and Los Angeles. Wilson is excited to teach in a college setting. “I think this is a great opportunity and a great school,” said Wilson.
Wilson has been a musician for most of his life, starting on the piano when he was five years old. He continued on the percussion track in middle school with the xylophone.
Today, he is well-versed in a variety of instruments. “The role of an orchestral percussionist is to be a generalist,” said Wilson. At Whitworth, he is helping his students follow that idea by helping them build upon their skills.
An aspect that Wilson is excited about in the music department is how students don’t have to be music majors to participate in the ensembles or take music-related classes. Wilson was originally a chemistry major, so he is empathetic to students who want to be part of the music program because they love it. “The environment here is more about learning and enthusiasm for music,” said Wilson.
Fourth-year student Dominick MacAuley, a secondary education and English language arts major, also appreciates the music program because it offers opportunities for non-music majors to perform.
MacAuley has been a musician for about 14 years, beginning on the Zimbabwean marimbas and expanding from there. MacAuley said, “I like that [Wilson’s] very structured… he has a curriculum of things he wants to go through.” Wilson ensures that his students are confident in the fundamentals of various instruments and helps them build skills on instruments they are interested in pursuing.
MacAuley also appreciated how dedicated Wilson is to music performance, as well as to his students. MacAuley explains how Wilson’s work ethic sets a good example for students, “This professor is in the practice room almost every single time I go in there.” . Wilson is always willing to listen and provide feedback to his students to help them get better. MacAuley said, “[For Wilson], it’s the students first.”
