Percussion audition information

Audition requirements for performance (BM) + music education (BME) majors

All Auditionees are required to audition on Snare Drum and Mallets, and match pitches by singing. You do not have to be an expert on all percussion but must demonstrate a strong musical background on both snare drum and mallets. However, the more instruments you play well, the higher we will rank you. Percussion auditions are typically 20 minutes. During that time you must play the three required areas (noted below) and read music. You may also play along with the instructors. Please prepare music accordingly.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email us.

Live auditions (in-person and virtual) may include reading music and playing along with the instructors.

Snare drum - REQUIRED* It has four components: rudiments, a rudimental solo, a concert etude and the concert roll

1. Play these rudiments in a slow-fast-slow fashion: Single paradiddles, double paradiddles, nine stroke rolls, seven stroke rolls and alternating flams. Start at a slow tempo, then accelerate the rudiment to your fastest speed, hold it for five seconds and then decelerate to the original speed. Each rudiment lasts around 25-30 seconds. Smoothly flowing motion and accents are important. These sites may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xK2seFUuyA&list=RD5xK2seFUuyA&index=1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONTwonwbnNA
2. One rudimental solo from these books by Charles Wilcoxon: The All-American Drummer or Modern Rudimental Swing Solos. They do not have to be fast, but they should be smooth, without stopping.
3. One concert snare drum etude, including multiple-bounce rolls & dynamic control from Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm.
4. Demonstrate a concert (multiple bounce) roll--start softly, crescendo to forte, then decrescendo to a soft, smooth roll. This process should last around 20 seconds. 

Mallets - REQUIRED*  Marimba and/or vibraphone is fine. Both components are required. 

1. Play the Eb, Ab, A, and E major scales for one octave, up and down. You may also play chord arpeggios or minor scales if you want, but these are not required.
2. Play solo(s) OR etude(s) from a book for at least three minutes in total length which demonstrate your expressive musicianship.
3. You can play two or four mallet pieces, accompanied or unaccompanied, --or a combination! We listen above all for your intelligent musical expression. 
   Your teacher can help choose solos. Consider works by Mitchell Peters, Bill Molenhof, J.S. Bach, Earl Hatch, G. F Handel, G. H. Green, Bart Quartier, or Dale Anderson. Steve Weiss Music or your local music dealer has these and other good mallet works.

Timpani - You must match pitch by singing but the etude is optional. Both components are required.

1. Demonstrate the ability to match pitch with your voice by playing the note Eb on a piano or marimba or vibes and then singing it. Then play G and sing it. Then play and sing the note A.
2. Play a two-drum etude from the Goodman, Delecluse or Peters timpani methods (or similar material). Please tune the drums while recording. You may play a three or four drum etude if you wish. Please "lift" the tone out of the drums. 
   If you do not have access to timpani for a recorded audition, that's OK. You do not have to play timpani for your audition (but you will sing for us).

OPTIONAL CHOICES: Playing one or more of these options will show us your personal skills. Play one, none, or as many as you wish.  

Drum set (optional)

1. Play drum patterns or beats, with some 'fills" (Choose from these styles: swing, samba, bossa-nova, rock, funk, waltz, praise band, shuffle, etc.).
2. In a medium swing style, "trade fours with yourself" (also possible: A short written-out or transcribed solo.)

Jazz vibes (optional)

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic jazz scales and 7th chords or chord progressions

Review degree sheets >>

Audition requirements for Bachelor of Arts majors (BA)

You may audition on just one instrument or several instruments. 

Choose from any combination of these instruments: Marching Percussion, Concert Snare Drum, Drum Set, Marimba/Vibraphone, Timpani, and/or Jazz Vibraphone. 

Percussion auditions are typically 20 minutes. During that time you must play your selected area(s) and read music. Live auditions (in-person and virtual) may also include playing along with the instructors.

A. Marching percussion—all components

1. If you played snare, timpani, quints (quads) marimba or vibraphone in a high school, DCI, WGI or other marching group, send us a copy of your best recorded performance with them. Be sure to tell us where you are in the video. You must be audible.
2. Play your show's marching solo (or group solo part) for us in either a live audition or in a video recording.
3. Do an interview with the percussion faculty (in person or virtual) about your musical activities and plans.

B. Concert snare drum—both components: Rudiments + a concert etude

1. Play these rudiments in a slow-fast-slow fashion: single paradiddles, nine stroke rolls, alternating flams. Start at a slow tempo, then accelerate the rudiment to your fastest speed, hold it there for five seconds and then decelerate to the original speed. Each rudiment lasts around 20-25 seconds. Smoothly flowing motion and accents are important. 
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xK2seFUuyA&list=RD5xK2seFUuyA&index=1   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONTwonwbnNA
2. One concert snare drum etude that includes multiple-bounce rolls, flams & dynamic control from Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm.

C. Drum set—all components

1. Play at least four drum patterns or beats, with some 'fills" (Choose from these styles: swing, samba, bossa-nova, rock, funk, waltz, praise band, shuffle, etc.).

2. In a medium swing style, "trade fours with yourself" (OPTIONAL: A short written-out, improvised or transcribed solo.)

3. Send us a recording or several recordings of you playing drum set in a live group performance. It can be a school jazz band or combo, a church praise band, any group you've played with, even a marching band. BUT you must be clearly seen, heard and identified in the recording. 

D. Classical marimba and/or vibraphone—both components

1. Play four major scales with at least 2 sharps or flats for one octave, up and down. You may also play chord arpeggios or minor scales if you want, but these are not required.
2. Play solo(s) or etude(s) for at least two minutes in total length which demonstrate your expressive musicianship and accuracy. These may include popular songs or even concert band, percussion ensemble or orchestra parts
   A teacher can help choose solos. Steve Weiss Music or a local music store has good mallet solos. If you wish, you may play music written for other instruments like flute or oboe. 
   You can play two-mallet or four-mallet pieces, accompanied or unaccompanied, or a combination! We listen most for your intelligent musical expression.

E. Timpani—both components

1. Demonstrate pitch matching with your voice by playing the note Eb on a piano or marimba or vibes and then singing it. Then play G and sing it. Then play and sing the note A.
2. Play a two-drum etude from the Goodman, Delecluse or Peters timpani methods (or similar material).You will tune the drums yourself. Please "lift" the tone out of the drums. You may play a three or four drum etude if you wish. 

F. Jazz vibes—both components

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic jazz scales up and down AND 7th chords and chord progressions from standard tunes by playing them in arpeggios or block, four-mallet chords.
2. Play an improvised solo (of at least one chorus) on a jazz tune. This may be a live performance for or with us, a studio or live recording with a group, or an unaccompanied solo.

Review degree sheets >>

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