On Thursday, April 3, Ted Atkatz, former principal percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, gave an inspiring, three-hour master class with four percussionists with the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University. The class was sponsored, in part, by Vic Firth.

The celebrated percussionist, who has performed with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, and the New Hampshire Symphony, among others, interacted with and advised the students on arrangements, technical approaches and orchestral repertoires. The students are all engaged in the university’s rigorous performance program, which includes both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in performance, as well as a certificate program. The students and attending guests were also treated to a few musical demonstrations by Atkatz, who is a member of the percussion faculty at DePaul University since September 1998 and an alumnus of the New World Symphony in Florida.

Madeline Neely, concert and events manager with the conservatory, said the students “established a great dialogue” with Atkatz, who even joined them for lunch after the appearance. “This was a wonderful opportunity for them to learn in an intimate, one-on-one environment while receiving expert instruction and guidance on performance, but also preparation."

For more information on the Conservatory of Music and Lynn University, visit www.lynn.edu/music.