Percussion

Requirements for B.M. degrees in performance and performance/music education

Mallets. 8 minutes. Marimba or vibes.

Marimba

• Two-mallet étude, comparable to or chosen from the following: Modern School for Marimba, by Morris Goldenberg ("39 Etudes" section); Tone-Row Exercises for Marimba, by Howard Zwickler; Style Studies, by John Bergamo.
• Four-mallet solo (optional, but recommended).
• Scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys (at least two octaves).

Vibes – étude, chosen from Vibraphone Technique, by David Friedman (Etudes 1-10). Four-mallet solo. Scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys (at least two octaves).

Timpani. 8 minutes.

• Etude, comparable to or chosen from the following: Modern Method for Timpani, by Saul Goodman (pp. 46-60); Etuden für Timpani, by Richard Hockrainer (nos. 10-25); Timpani Method, by Friese/Lepak (Section 3, nos. 5-15); or a solo using four drums.
• Tuning and intonation suggested study guide: Timpani Method, by Friese/Lepak (Section 3, pp. 35-43).

Snare Drum. 8 minutes.

• Solo (concert style), comparable to or chosen from the following: Modern School for Snare Drum, by Morris Goldenberg (pp. 44-51); Portraits in Rhythm, by Anthony Cirone; 20th-Century Orchestral Snare Drum Studies, by Thomas McMillan.
• Solo (rudimental style), comparable to or chosen from the following: Modern Rudimental Swing Solos, by Charles Wilcoxon; 14 Modern Contest Solos, by John S. Pratt.

Drum Set (optional, but recommended). 6 minutes.

Demonstration of knowledge of various contemporary styles, including jazz (swing), rock, various Latin beats.

The audition normally is 30 minutes (drum set included). Substitutions for any of the above may be made by advance consultation with Gordon Stout, (607) 274-3427.

Requirements for all other music degrees

Concert Snare Drum Solo.

• Illustrating use of closed rolls, flams, ruffs, and rhythms.
• Sight-reading.

Timpani Solo. Illustrating use of rolls and rhythms.

Timpani Ear Training. Demonstrating the ability to match pitches and tune the drums with the intervals of seconds, thirds, fourths, and fifths.

Mallets.

• Two-or four-mallet solo. Select music you feel represents the best of what you can perform at the time of your audition.
• All major and minor scales and arpeggios.
• Sight-reading.

General Audition Notes

1. It is fine if you do not have a four-mallet solo to play on marimba or vibes. Many students who come here have very little or no experience in this area. However, I would encourage you to play something with four mallets if you do have the expierience.
2. Multiple Percussion solos are not recommended for the audition. Set-up time and logistics make this difficult.
3. All required instruments will be provided for your warm up and audition. You may bring your own snare drum or mallet instrument if it helps you to feel more comfortable. Do not plan on bringing your own drum set to the audition. Although I would most like to hear excellent performances on mallets, snare drum, timpani, and drum set, potential is equally important with achievement. Therefore, if you are not experienced in one or more areas of percussion, you are still encouraged to audition. Prepare whatever you can in your weaker areas of performance to help put together the best audition possible.

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Last modified: 6 September 2001