Music Talent Award Audition Requirements - Percussion

Percussion students must submit a recorded DVD at the audition site demonstrating abilities in as many of the following categories as possible. Students may choose to perform one or more of the following at the audition site. However, the student will need to provide any instruments and/or mallets needed.

Snare Drum

Select an etude that includes rolls, flams, drags, and good dynamic contrast. Good concert style should be demonstrated using buzz (closed) rolls and performing with appropriate equipment for orchestral snare drum performance. Suggested method books: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Whaley Recital Solos for Snare Drum.

Mallet Percussion

Select a solo or etude that demonstrates your technique and musicianship to best advantage. Suggested method books for two-mallet: Goldenberg Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone or Whaley Musical Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player. Suggested two mallet solos: Tanner Sonata for Marimba, Kreisler ”Tambourin Chinois.” Suggested method book for four-mallet: Howarth, “Simply Four”. Suggested solos: Musser Etude, Op. 6, No. 9; Musser Etude, Op. 6, No. 10; Peters ”Yellow After the Rain;” Peters ”Waves.” Vibes solos: Molenhof, “Music of the Day”, Molenhof, “Vibe Songs”.

Timpani

Select a solo or etude that demonstrates a variety of articulations, rolls, and dynamics and that includes tuning changes. Suggested method books: Firth The Solo Timpanist, Friese-Lepak Timpani Method, Hinger Virtuoso Timpanist. Suggested solos: Muczinski ”Three Designs for Three Timpani” or Kraft ”Variations for King George.”

Drum Set

1. Demonstrate ability to play a variety of styles - swing, big band, fusion, rock, and Latin.
2. Perform a solo that demonstrates your technique/abilities to best advantage. Suggested solos: Houliff Drum Set Solos, Bruford When in Doubt, Roll!
3. Demonstrate ability to play brushes, trade fours in any or all of the above styles, and to read figures from a big band chart or lead sheet.

It should be understood that the above requirements are the minimum playing requirements. A student will increase his/her opportunity for acceptance with additional playing abilities in these and/or other areas such as timpani or drum set.

Additional Requirements for Prospective Percussion Music Majors

In addition to other requirements not related to private study, prospective percussion music majors must fulfill the following requirements by the end of the first year of private applied study in order to be considered for admission into the music major program.

• The applicant should be able to successfully play any etude at sight from the following method books:

1. Whaley/Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer
2. Whaley/Fundamental Studies for Mallets
   

• He/She must demonstrate the ability to play all major and minor scales (two octaves) on a keyboard percussion instrument.

• The student must demonstrate a suitable buzz roll on snare drum at both piano and forte dynamic levels.

• He/She must demonstrate knowledge of and ability to play the standard 26 rudiments.