Music
Percussion Audition Requirements
For New Percussion Students
In order to study Percussion at CWU, you must first audition for the music faculty. This step is required to complete your acceptance into the CWU Department of Music program. This audition gives us an opportunity to hear the level you have achieved in your musical skills and it gives you the opportunity to discuss your development with collegiate instructors. Performance entrance standards may be found at the bottom of the page. For more details about the admissions process pleas visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page.
For your audition we recommend the following:- Select music which best displays your performance level.
- We strongly recommend you prepare your audition material under the supervision of your private teacher and/or music director.
- A solo or etude on snare drum
- A solo or etude on timpani
- A solo or etude on mallet instruments.
- Drum set ability can be demonstrated by various beat patterns
Transfer Students
Transfer students who wish to be admitted at the 364 level, or higher, must demonstrate competencies equivalent to those listed on the appropriate Performance Standards section below.
Admissions Audition Registration
Before you can audition you must register for an audition time. Please visit our Music Program Auditions & Admissions page for further information.
Large Ensemble Audition Requirements
For new and returning percussion students wishing to play in a large ensemble, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band auditions will take place during the first week of of each new quarter. Fall auditions have specific materials for all who intend to play in a large ensemble. For the schedule, and further details, please visit our Ensemble Auditions page. Auditions for Winter and/or Spring will be announced as needed. Check our Audition Excerpts page for specific percussion excerpts.
Contact Professor Josh Gianola for more information.
Jazz Band auditions
Jazz Band auditions will take place during the first week of each new quarter. Visit the Jazz Auditions page for more information, charts, and scheduled times.
Contact Dr. Keith Karns if you have any further jazz audition questions.
Entrance Standards, Percussion
Transfer students who are pursuing percussion as their major instrument will be placed at an applied level that is based on their skill achievement. Following is a list of standards for entry at the junior level of percussion study at CWU.
"The man who think he can and the man who thinks he can't are both right" - Henry Ford
Junior Level, Music 364
- Half-hour recital of works for Mallets, Timpani and Multi-Percussion.
- (Three of the following four areas (Mallets, Snare, Timpani, Drum set) as well as the excerpts must be mastered and demonstrated in lessons or juries in order to advance to the next level.)
Mallets:
- More advanced solo literature such as Akira Miyoshi’s Conversation.
- Play vibraphone solo from Real book changes such as My Funny Valentine or In a Mellow Tone.
Snare Drum:
- Advanced Orchestral and Rudimental Literature.
Timpani:
- Perform two diverse Delecluse Etudes.
- Perform additional solo works.
Drumset:
- Transcribe and perform one tune.
- Perform from advanced method books such as:
- Riley The Art of Bop Drumming
- Goines/Ameen Afro-Cuban Grooves for Bass and Drums
- Davis' Drummers
- Steve Houghton Essential Styles, Book One and Two.
Orchestral Excerpts:
- Snare:
- Schuman 3rd Symphony (Toccata)
- Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf
- Ravel Bolero
- Xylophone:
- Gershwin Porgy and Bess
- Kleinsinger: Tubby the Tuba
- Copland Appalachian Spring
- Bells:
- Dukas Sorcerer’s Apprentice
- Mozart The Magic Flute
- Tambourine:
- Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
- Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
- Cymbal:
- Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
- Timpani:
- Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony (1st mvt.)
- Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis
- Beethoven Symphony #9
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