Larry Stockton, Professor and Chairman of the Music Department at Lafayette College, is a specialist in traditional Japanese music, specifically music of the Kabuki Theater, as well as percussion and music traditions from around the world. He teaches courses in World Music Traditions, Music of West Africa, Music of Japan, Jazz, East Asian Studies and various other courses within the Department and the College. He also directs the Percussion Ensemble and is active as a performer (percussion), conductor, and clinician, having performed and studied throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Korea, Ghana, and Indonesia. He has published numerous articles and conducts workshops in Japanese music and various world music traditions and is a frequent lecturer at area colleges. In addition to a wide assortment of teaching and conducting activities, he has produced and edited a four-volume set of Concert Band music for Toshiba-EMI, Ltd, The Masterpiece Series.
D.M.A. (Music Ed.), Temple University (Dr. Edwin Gordon)
M.M.E. (Music Ed.), Western Carolina University
B.M. (Music), Western Carolina University
Post-Doctoral Study
Intensive Japanese Language Study: Cornell University (Dr. Eleanor Jordan)
N.E.H. Summer Seminars: University of Michigan (Prof. William P. Malm)
1985: Japanese Theater Music
1988: Shamisen, History and Techniques
Private Study (Kabuki Theater & Nagauta Performance): Tanaka, Denji (Tanaka Guild ): 1986, 1988, 1992
Private Study (Shamisen and Tsuzumi): Senba Kokun
Private Study (Marimba): Yashihisa Mizuno
Additional studies in Ghana, Korea, and Bali
Professional Experience Highlights
1977 – Present: Department of Music, Lafayette College
1977: Instructor, Director of Bands
1983: Promoted to Associate Professor
1988-2002: Coordinator of East Asian Studies
1992-present: Chairman, Department of Music
1996: Promoted to Full Professor
[Duties have included teaching courses in; music theory, music history and literature, and performance courses on all levels. New courses developed include: Introduction to World Music Traditions, New York Jazz Experience, History of Jazz, African-American Music, Music in Myth and Ritual, Japanese Theater Music (Lehigh University/ LVAIC), Survey of Non-Western Music (Moravian College), Developing Musical Perception, Introduction to East Asian Studies, Mozart, Beethoven, VAST 283 and the Traditional Music of Japan.]
De-Mystifying Non-Western Cultures (Freshman Seminar), and courses in Interim Sessions and Elderhostel Program. Performing Ensembles include: Director of Marching Band (1977-1989), Director of Concert Band (1977-1988),
Director of Jazz Ensemble (1977-1991), Director of Percussion Ensemble (1980- Present), Director of World Music Ensemble (1991- Present).]
1975-77: Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) / Teaching Assistant (University Bands) / Teaching Assistant (Theory Department)
1975-77: University of Delaware (Newark, Delaware) Instructor of Percussion (adjunct)
1974-75: Western Carolina University / Instructor of Percussion (adjunct)
1971-74: U.S. Army Bands (Percussionist)
“Visiting” Teaching Assignments
Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (Consortial Professor)
1989, Lehigh University: Japanese Theater Music
1993 & 1996, Muhlenberg College: Traditions of Japanese Music
2005: Muhlenberg College: Japanese Theater Music
1990 –2015: Moravian College: Introduction to Non-Western Music
Musics of the World (majors seminar)
Professional Performance Experience
Third U.S. Army Band (Atlanta, GA), 1971
296th U.S. Army Band (Zama, Japan), 1972-74
North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, 1970-71
Emory University Wind Ensemble, 1971
Yokohama Symphony, 1972-73
Tokyo “Five” Percussion Ensemble, 1973-74
University of Delaware Percussion Ensemble, 1975-76
Easton Pops Orchestra, 1981-83
Recital Performances of Nagauta (Tokyo), 1986
Pennsylvania Pops Orchestra (Percussion Soloist), 1990-present
Free-lance Percussionist, 1969-present