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Percussion Audition Requirements

Undergraduate: Be prepared to play a solo piece in each of three categories: mallets, snare drum, and timpani. The mallet selection should be chosen for musical content and technical difficulty (two- and four-mallet work is desirable). Scales, arpeggios, and sight-reading may be required. The snare drum selection should clearly demonstrate your level of technical ability. Rudiments, including an orchestral roll, at all dynamic levels are required. The solo timpani selection should utilize two or more drums. Rolls with different dynamic levels on different drums should be demonstrated. Intonation and sight-reading abilities will be tested.

Graduate: Applicants should demonstrate a high level of performance on timpani, mallets (two and four mallets) and snare drum. Be prepared to play an advanced solo in each category as well as excerpts from the standard repertoire in each category. Examples:

  • Timpani: Carter Etudes
  • Mallets: Stout Two Mexican Dances
  • Snare: Studies by Delacluse

Audition Dates