Auditions

The percussion audition includes all three of the following areas:

Marimba, Xylophone

1. One composition, or movement from a composition, of your choice with four mallets and another with two mallets.
2. A variety of major and minor scales.
3. Sight reading with two mallets.

Snare Drum

1. Two études of diverse styles demonstrating musicality as well as technical ability. One classical in nature and the other rudimental.
2. Sight reading.

Timpani

1. One composition or movement from a composition or an etude that demonstrates tone and technique.
2. Demonstration of tuning ability. (Mr. Rosen will ask you to match pitches and tune various intervals from given pitches.)
3. I suggest Variations (#17) from Richard Hochrainer Timpani Book Volume III as a possible audition piece or similar piece with tuning changes.
4. I recommend students do not audition with any of the Eliot Carter Pieces as they do not demonstrate a consistent tone or tuning ability.

Preferably, the compositions should be works written specifically for the instrument, rather than transcriptions. Please note: regional auditions are not offered in percussion. However, videos auditions are accepted. See FAQs for details.

To learn more about requirements, dates, and locations, see Conservatory Admissions: Auditions.