Percussion Auditions | Tennessee

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate

For all degrees other than Commercial Percussion:

The student should demonstrate his/her highest level of achievement on snare drum and marimba. Timpani is encouraged for scholarship consideration, but not required.

Snare Drum: Rudiments and one selection at the level of any all-state required solo, or an etude from Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone.

Marimba: A four-mallet marimba solo, One selection at the level of any all-state required solo, or etude from Modern School for Xylophone by Morris Goldenberg.

Timpani: One selection at the level of any all-state required solo or an etude from The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth.

*If you wish to perform alternate repertoire for your audition, it must be approved by Dr. Harnsberger.

Commercial Percussion audition requirements:

Students should prepare a 2 to 3-minute solo on drum set representing their highest level of achievement. They should be prepared to demonstrate styles such as jazz, bossa nova, samba, and rock. Sight reading will be required, and students should be familiar with the playing styles of a variety of drummers, including Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, as well as influential modern artists (such as various drummers for “Snarky Puppy”).

Additional Requirements:

Snare Drum: Rudiments and one selection at the level of any all-state required solo, or an etude from Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone.

Marimba: Major scales and one selection at the level of any all-state required solo, or etude from Modern School for Xylophone by Morris Goldenberg.

Sight reading will be required on marimba and snare drum.

Graduate

Snare Drum: Delecluse #1 or #9, Scheherezade, Lt. Kije

Xylophone: Porgy and Bess

Timpani: Hochrainer Etude #50, volume 2 or equivalent and 2 contrasting orchestral excerpts

Marimba: A movement by J.S. Bach and a solo demonstrating the highest level of technical achievement

*If you wish to perform alternate repertoire for your audition, it must be approved by Dr. Harnsberger.

To register for an audition, email aharnsberger@leeuniversity.edu