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Percussion Audition Requirements

Applicants should bring sticks, mallets, and music. The university will provide instruments and stands unless the performer prefers to bring personal equipment. All applicants must perform an etude or solo on snare drum, mallets, and timpani. Though not required, if the applicant has experience on drumset, they are encouraged to demonstrate various styles on drumset. See below for the appropriate repertoire for each instrument (please note that these are just suggestions). Please direct all questions regarding the percussion audition to Dr. Annie Stevens at ajs@vt.edu

  • Rudiments: 26 Standard American Drum Rudiments (open-closed-open).
  • Concert-Style Etude or Solo. Selections from the following books would be appropriate:
    • Intermediate or Advanced Studies for Snare Drum by Mitchell Peters
    • Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone
    • Douze Etudes by Jacques Delecluse
  • Rudimental-Style Solo. Selections from the following books would be appropriate:
  • Contemporary Rudimental Studies and Solos by Lalo Davila
  • The All-American Drummer or Modern Rudimental Swing Solos by Charlie Wilcoxon
  • Sight-reading will also be asked.

  • Scales and Arpeggios: Perform 2-octave major scales and major arpeggios.
  • Two-mallet solo on marimba, xylophone, or vibraphone: A prepared piece or etude. Memorization is not required. An etude from the following books is recommended:
    • Masterpieces for Marimba by Thomas McMillan
    • Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg
    • Xylophone rag of choice (such as an arrangement by Bob Becker or William Cahn)
  • (optional) 4-mallet solo on marimba or vibraphone: A prepared piece or etude. Memorization is not required.
  • Sight-reading will be asked.

 

  • An etude from the following books is recommended:
    • Pedal to the Kettle by Kirk Gay
    • Fundamental Method for Timpani by Mitchell Peters
    • Modern Method for Timpani by Saul Goodman
    • The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth

  • Drum Set: Demonstrate proficiency in rock, swing, and Latin styles.
  • Orchestral Excerpts: Perform standard excerpts on snare drum, mallets, timpani, and accessories.

Percussion Faculty