School of Music

Auditions for Percussion

Complete information regarding the application process for prospective students can be found at: ../music/MUSaudition.

ALL AUDITIONS ARE BY APPOINTMENT

Percussion auditions are arranged and scheduled by making an appointment directly with a Member of the Percussion Faculty, to allow for maximum scheduling flexibility.  However please note that you must audition prior to March 2 to be eligible for talent-based scholarships or assistantships for the following Fall semester. Prospective percussion students are encouraged to contact a Member of the Percussion Faculty with questions at any point during the application process.

Undergraduate audition requirements: B.A. in Music and B.M.

All areas except Performance

  • Snare Drum: Solo or etude (i.e., Cirone, Delecluse, Peters, Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
  • Mallets: One solo (two or four mallets); All major and minor scales and arpeggios
  • Timpani: Solo or etude (i.e., Carroll, Delecluse, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
  • Drumset: Optional—Demonstrate various styles at various tempos

**See notes below.

B.M. Performance

  • Snare Drum: One concert solo (i.e., Cirone, Delecluse, Peters, etc.) and one rudimental solo (i.e., Pratt, Wilcoxon, etc.)
  • Mallets: One two-mallet solo/etude and one four-mallet solo in contrasting styles; All major and minor scales and arpeggios.
  • Timpani: Solo or etude for three or more drums (i.e., Carroll, Delecluse, Firth, Freise, Goodman, etc.)
  • Multiple Percussion: Optional—Submit a DVD recording of a multiple percussion solo Drumset: Optional—Demonstrate various styles at various tempos

**See notes below.

Graduate Audition Requirements M.M. Performance

SIGHTREADING ON ALL INSTRUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED. DEMONSTRATION OF ADVANCED EAR TRAINING SKILLS REQUIRED.

Snare Drum - One solo AND one rudimental solo or more of the following:
Delecluse etudes Mitch Peters Advanced Etudes or Hard Times Other - please inquire in advance PLUS Rudimental Solo (required) Pratt, Wilcoxon Other - please inquire in advance PLUS Orchestral repertoire of your choice

Timpani - One or more of the following solos: (German and American timpani systems provided PLEASE NOTIFY IN ADVANCE)
Solo from Delecluse Trente Etudes book #3 etudes 21-30 (no other Delecluse please) Vic Firth Solo Timpanist Hochrainer four drum etude of choice. Knauer four drum etude of choice. Carter Improvisation or March Other - please contact in advance PLUS Orchestral repertoire of your choice

Marimba - 
Four mallet solo of your choice PLUS Two or four-mallet Bach solo of your choice

Xylophone - One or more of the following:
Green, Breuer, Herman or other xylophone solos including concert pieces such as Caprice Valsant, Tambourin Chinois, etc. PLUS, Orchestral repertoire of your choice  

  • Glockenspiel - Orchestral repertoire of your choice
  • Accessories - Orchestral repertoire of your choice
  • Vibraphone - Not required, only if desired
  • Drum set - Not required, only if desired

**See notes below.

Although a live audition is preferred, candidates may also submit a DVD of an audition if time and distance are a major factor. Any DVD audition must be one take with no stopping and no leaving the picture at any time as in a live performance. For more details and requirements please feel free to contact a Member of the Percussion Faculty (../music/percussion-faculty) with questions about audition repertoire or instruments prior to your audition.

**NOTES FOR ALL PERCUSSION AUDITIONS:

  • Students must provide their own mallets and sticks for the audition.
  • The following will be provided at the audition: timpani, adjustable stools, mallet instruments, snare drums, snare stands, and cymbals.
  • Students may bring their own snare drum and cymbals if they prefer. Students planning to play tambourine or triangle must bring their own.
  • Students must tune the timpani using a tuning fork or a single pitch from another source (i.e., pitch pipe, piano).
  • Timpani solos that call for playing with the “butt” of the stick will only be allowed if a double-headed “flip-stick” is used. In addition, no solos that call for playing on the bowl, frame, or rim of the timpani will be allowed.
  • Contact a Member of the Percussion Faculty with questions about audition repertoire or instruments prior to your audition

Music Department application information: music@csuohio.edu

Music Department Admissions Contacts:
Graduate: Dr. Victor Liva - (216) 687-6931
Undergraduate: Kate Bill (216) 687-5039

Percussion Area Faculty: