Founded in 1975 by Robert Leroux, the percussion workshop offers students the opportunity of participating in major projects as part of the Université de Montréal Faculty of Music’s artistic season and of those of other Québec institutions. It regularly figures in the program of organizations like the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec.

Under the direction of João Catalão, percussionists of the workshop also host concert-workshops with commentary at high schools and Cégeps, and take part in interuniversity exchanges. Among the formation’s important achievements may be noted the concerts Steve Reich, Giant of Minimalism and Frank Zappa, or the Anguish of the Black Page.

The percussion workshop collaborates regularly with different contemporary-music ensembles, notably the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne and Sixtrum in residence at the Faculty, as well as with eminent composers like Walter Boudreau and Denis Gougeon.