Undergraduate Audition Procedures Percussion
Admissions | Degree Programs | Audition Information
Auditions normally last about ten minutes and are heard by a committee of faculty members from your area of interest. The faculty suggests the following in preparation for your live audition:
Percussion
What to play
Percussion students should plan their audition to be about 10 minutes or less and should perform: Two short selections for snare drum - one rudimental (marching band) style and one orchestral or closed style; (These can be full solos, short etudes, or selections from a methods book but should total less than 5 minutes.); Two short selections for a keyboard instrument (marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone) - one focusing on technique and the other more on musical style; A short demonstration of drum set performance for those interested in studying in the jazz area; While sight-reading is not usually involved in the audition, students may be asked to play selected snare drum rudiments or scales on a keyboard instrument; If time allows, a selection for timpani and a selection for multiple percussion could be presented.
What to bring
All percussion instruments will be provided. Students should bring their own sticks and mallets and one additional copy of the music they will be performing.
About the Bands and Orchestra
Students auditioning for the band program (including the marching band) will perform the above described School of Music audition AND, those wishing to play in the drum line of the marching band, will audition during a special drum line camp to determine placement in the drum line. Placement in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and/or University Orchestra will be determined during auditions that are normally held just before the beginning of the term.