WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Jan. 19, 2018 —Music educator Mitchell J. Greco was recently named director of percussion and world music at West Liberty University.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Mitch as a continuing faculty member. His presence represents a strong investment in the music program at West Liberty and we are thrilled to have him here long term. He brings a very diverse skill set to the program that will attract the best and brightest student musicians from West Virginia and beyond,” said Dr. Matthew Harder, Dean of the College of Arts and Communication.
A native of Rochester, N.Y., Greco is currently a D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts) candidate at West Virginia University. He previously held a WVU Provost Fellowship and served as graduate teaching assistant for the World Music Performance Center at WVU.
Greco focuses on music performance and cultural study, and has earned master’s degrees from Kent State University (MA in Ethnomusicology) and Appalachian State University (MM in Music Performance). His multifaceted study began at SUNY Fredonia, where he earned bachelor degrees in music performance and history, studying under SUNY Distinguished Professor Kay Stonefelt and Ghanaian master drummer and xylophonist Bernard Woma.
Greco’s first priority is providing the best instruction and building real world experiences for his students.
“By collaborating with the excellent faculty at West Liberty University, our music ensembles will be providing quality music to accompany events and to entertain audiences with a variety of musical styles and genres throughout the tri-state. When done well, these outreach performances enrich the community while providing our students with meaningful, professional experiences,” he said.
Prior to his position at WLU, Greco has served as adjunct faculty at Waynesburg University, Washington & Jefferson College, West Liberty University, Emory & Henry College (VA) and Mitchell Community College (NC). His rigorous research agenda includes performing and researching world percussion practices, as well as western musical practices like marching band, percussion ensemble, wind ensemble and orchestra.
Greco will be directing percussion studies at WLU and teaching applied percussion lessons and percussion fundamentals to music education majors aspiring to become high school band directors. He will also be directing the WLU Percussion Ensemble and drumline for the newly-reinstated Marching Hilltoppers.
As director of world music, Greco directs the WLU Steel Band and has designed a new general studies and honors course for spring 2018, Music in World Cultures, which surveys the social functions of various music-cultures from around the globe. Currently being offered as a part of percussion ensemble and the student-led WLU Percussion Club, Greco plans to offer African Drum and Dance Ensemble as its own course within the next year.
For complete information on the WLU Department of Music, please visit westliberty.edu/music or call the Department of Music office at 304-336-8006.