Graduate Percussion Audition Requirements

GET STARTED
1
Request Info
2
Visit
3
Apply

Prescreening

Open All Tabs
  • Solo/chamber music studies applicants

    Please record the performances below in one full take:

    • Concert 4-mallet solo (3-5min excerpt)
    • Concert Multi Percussion solo (3-5 min excerpt)*
    • 1 Concert Snare Drum etude

    *Given the numerous applicant inquiries we received describing COVID-19 logistical challenges, the Multi-Percussion solo prescreening excerpt is now optional and not required for years 2021-22. 

  • Orchestral studies applicants

    Please record the performances below in one full take:

    • Concert 4-mallet solo (2-3 min excerpt)
    • 1 Concert Snare Drum etude
    • 1 Snare Drum Excerpts
    • 1 Timpani Excerpts
    • 1 Xylophone Excerpts
    • 1 Glockenspiel Excerpts

For scholarship and teaching assistantship consideration, all applicants must audition live on-campus.

Audition

Open All Tabs
  • Applicants to the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts

    Snare Drum

    • Demonstrate roll in various dynamics (pp crescendo to FF and decrescendo to pp)
    • Perform both: a Concert etude and a rudimental solo of significant musical sophistication and technical difficulty

    Keyboard Percussion

    • 4 Mallet solos or movements for Marimba or Vibraphone of significant musical sophistication and technical difficulty (duration ca. 10 minutes)

    Orchestral Percussion (Section 1) OR Multiple Percussion (Section 2)

    • Section 1 Orchestral
      • Timpani: 4 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
      • Snare Drum: 5 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
      • Xylophone: 4 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
      • Glockenspiel: 3 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
      • Tambourine: 2 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
      • Cymbals: 2 standard excerpts from the orchestral repertoire
    • Section 2 Solo
      • One Multi-Percussion solo or movement of significant musical sophistication and technical difficulty (duration ca. 10 minutes):
      • Xylophone: Messaien L’Oiseaux Exotiques (reh. 6-7 and reh. 26-28)
      • Tambourine: Dvorak Carnival Overture
      • Cymbals: Tchaikovsky Overture to Romeo and Juliet

    Timpani

    • One solo of significant musical sophistication and technical difficulty (duration ca. 5 minutes) 

  • Applicants to the Artist Diploma

    Snare Drum

    • Two Concert etudes from Douze Etudes pour Caisse-Claire by Jacques Delecluse. Requirement: Etude no. 9

    Keyboard Percussion

    • 4 Mallet Contemporary Solo (or movements) for Marimba or Vibraphone of significant musical sophistication and technical difficulty (duration ca. 10 minutes)

    Timpani

    • Two solos from Eight Pieces for Timpani by Elliott Carter

    Free Choice

    Choose one of the options below:

    • Option 1: One multi-percussion, theatrical percussion, or keyboard solo chosen by the applicant, further revealing their musical taste and personality
    • Option 2: 20 standard orchestral excerpts played on at least 5 different disciplines. The repertoire is to be chosen by the applicant