Below are the audition requirements and suggested pieces/books for each percussion instrument. Original copies and/or books must be used at the audition. Please bring all necessary sticks and mallets and an A=440 tuning fork.
Snare Drum
The applicant should prepare one snare drum solo or etude in the concert and rudimental styles.
Concert
- Mitchell Peters, Intermediate Snare Drum Studies, Advanced Snare Drum Studies
- Anthony Cirone, Portraits in Rhythm
- Jacques Delecluse, Twelve Etudes for Snare Drum
Rudimental
- Charley Wilcoxon, Modern Rudimental Swing Solos
- John S. Pratt, 14 Modern Contest Solos
The applicant should prepare and memorize all 40 PAS Snare Drum Rudiments. Rudiments will be selected at random and are to be played in open-closed-open style.
Keyboard Percussion
The applicant should prepare one two-mallet and one four-mallet keyboard solo or etude.
Two-Mallet
- George Hamilton Green Rags, eg. Valse Brilliante, Ragtime Robin
- J.S. Bach, Cello Suites
- Morris Goldenburg, Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone
Four-Mallet
- Paul Smadbeck, Rhythm Song
- Alice Gomez, Rain Dance
- Mitchell Peters, Yellow After the Rain
- Keiko Abe, Michi, Dream of the Cherry Blossoms
The applicant should prepare and memorize all twelve major scales. Scales will be selected at random and are to be played in two octaves.
Timpani
The applicant should prepare one solo or etude for timpani utilizing four drums. The applicant will be required to tune the timpani using an A=440 tuning fork.
- Mitchell Peters, Fundamental Solo’s for Timpani
- Vic Firth, The Solo Timpanist
- Elliot Carter, Saeta, or March from Eight Pieces for Four Timpani
Drumset
Potential jazz majors, as well as concert percussion majors, should prepare 3-5 styles on the drumset. Be prepared to solo within these styles.