Northern Illinois University

School of Music

Percussion Audition Information

Undergraduate Level

I. All prospective undergraduates must perform the following:
     a. keyboard percussion solo or etude
     b. snare drum solo or etude

II. Solos or etudes in two other areas of applicant's choice:
     a. timpani
     b. multiple percussion
     c. world percussion
     d. drum set
           i. Big band chart sightreading
          ii. Demonstration of styles (including brush technique)
         iii. Drum set solo or etude
         iv. FOR JAZZ MAJORS ONLY:  “melodic drum solo," in which you interpret a well-known jazz standard
             on the drum kit, in the following format:
             1. head
             2. two choruses of improvised solo
             3. head out

III. Two-mallet sightreading

IV. (Vocal) pitch matching

N.B.   If a personal audition is not possible, applicant may submit a DVD or other digital video format.  Audio alone is not acceptable.

Graduate Level

I. All prospective graduate students should be prepared to perform senior recital level literature in each of the following areas:
      a.  two-mallet keyboard percussion
      b. four-mallet keyboard percussion
      c. timpani
      d. snare drum

II. One Standard orchestral excerpt on each of the following:
      a. keyboard percussion (glock OR xylo)
      b. snare drum
      c. cymbals

III. In addition, applicant may also choose to perform:
      a.  drum set  (see details in undergrad description above)
      b. jazz vibraphone
      c.  world percussion instruments
      d.  multi-percussion solo (please write ahead of time with specific instrument requests
           to make sure your selection is possible)

N.B. If a personal audition is not possible, applicant may submit a DVD or other digital video format. Audio alone is not acceptable. Candidates for the Graduate Assistantship MUST AUDITION IN PERSON. An interview is an integral part of the audition process and can only be conducted in person.

 

Steelpan (all levels)--Click for pan audition information