Percussion Studio

Tucked away underneath Occidental’s iconic Thorne Hall, Occidental’s new Percussion Studio is easy to miss. But the teaching, practice and performance space has been a big hit since it went live in fall 2021. Built in a historic space that has seen a variety of uses since Thorne opened in 1938, the studio features a large ensemble space for performances and two smaller studios for lessons and practice. Four layers of drywall in the walls and ceiling together with acoustical wall panels ensures that percussionists can practice and perform under optimal conditions while limiting the sonic impact elsewhere. The studio also provides enough storage space (including lockers for smaller instruments) so that equipment is no longer scattered all over campus.

Photos by Marc Campos.