Incoming Music Major: Percussion Audition Information

Percussion

Sign up for a percussion audition

Will there be sight reading? Yes, on concert snare drum and two-mallet keyboard

Will there be scales? Yes, on mallet keyboard

How much music should be prepared? Selections from the three instrument areas below

How different should the selections be? Choose selections that demonstrate both lyrical and technical ability

Listed below are examples of musical selections to prepare. These are suggestions only—performers may choose other similar repertoire if they wish

Snare Drum

A solo or etude in concert style such as from:

  • Anthony J. Cirone: Portraits in Rhythm
  • Mitchell Peters: Intermediate Snare Drum Studies

Keyboard

A mallet keyboard solo (four-mallet or two-mallet; either is acceptable) or etude from a method book such as:

  • Thomas McMillan: Masterpieces for Marimba
  • Julie Davila: Impressions on Wood

Timpani

One solo or etude demonstrating musicianship from a method book such as:

  • Saul Goodman: Modern Method for Tympany
  • Raynor Carroll: Exercises, Etudes, and Solo for the Timpani
  • Vic Firth: The Solo Timpanist

Optional Areas

You may include the following areas, if you wish:

  • Drumset:  Demonstrate 2-4 styles (such as swing, funk, etc.)
  • Rudimental: solo or etude in rudimental style

 

Due to the nature of instrument access and other potential factors, we understand how an applicant may require some flexibility with these requirements. Auditions on fewer than all three instrument areas (snare/mallets/timp) are satisfactory in these circumstances. For more information, please contact Dr. Jonathan Sharp at jsharp@iastate.edu