Snare drum:

• A concert etude (something out of the texts by Goldenberg, Peters, Cirone, Delecleuse, Albright, etc.)
• A rudimental piece or etude (optional)
• Sight reading

Marimba/Xylophone:

• Two mallet solo or etude (a piece from Goldenberg, Whaley, Cirone, Peters etc.)
• Four mallet solo or etude (optional)
• Sight reading

Timpani (optional):

• Two, three or four drum etude or solo
• Tuning

Drumset (optional):

• Styles at various tempos, could include: swing, swing with brushes, jazz waltz, shuffle, rock, funk, samba, bossa nova, mambo/songo
• Soloing in swing (trading fours, or eights)
• Sight reading

Hand Drums (optional):

Percussion Auditions

Thanks for your interest in SRU. Here is a list of things I would like to hear in a percussion audition:

• Styles at various tempos, could include: 6/8 Afro-Cuban, tumbao, samba, funk, calypso/soca

And here is a list of things required of everyone's audition:

• Pitch Matching at Piano
• Sight Singing
• Sight Clapping of Rhythms
• Theory Test
• Piano Profeciency Form and Test
• Interview

Also, please keep the following in mind while preparing for your audition:

 

1. I would much rather hear slow and accurate than fast and sloppy.

2. Do not stop once you have begun playing your pieces (including sight reading), perform them.

3. Work on your sight reading.  It is one of the biggest separating factors for percussionists.

4. Dress appropriately.  Look and act as a professional.

Any further questions about percussion auditions can be directed to: david.glover@sru.edu