If you are auditioning as a major, then you may choose among the Education (BME), Performance (BM), or general (BA / BS) degrees with emphasis in percussion. You may also audition as a music minor, or in certain circumstances, for scholarship / ensemble placement only. Admission into the Bachelor of Music (performance) degree program is selective, and requires a higher level of existing performance ability. It is possible to be selected into an alternate degree program, and to re-audition in a future semester.

The ideal percussion audition is demonstrated through performance of varied styles and instruments. A successful audition will demonstrate the performer’s abilities on as many of these instruments as possible.

Snare Drum

Two relatively short, contrasting solos are ideal. One should be in the concert style, the other in the rudimental style. You may be asked to sight read as well.

Keyboard

A solo that demonstrates your keyboard percussion abilities, either two or four mallet. Acceptable instruments include marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone (two mallet only)

In addition, major scales (two octaves ascending and descending) may be asked of you.

Timpani

Again, a solo that demonstrates your abilities on this instrument is requested.

You may be asked to tune timpani to a given pitch.

Drumset

If you have any experience with the drum kit, then a demonstration of drumset styles is appropriate. Consider the rock / funk styles, jazz, and latin (such as a bossa nova) or carribean (such as a calypso) as representative of the instrument.

For All of the Above Categories, you may choose to consider a solo work from the Idaho State (or any other state) Solo and Ensemble list.

Please Also Note: to be admitted as a music major in any capacity, you must take the theory placement test as well as the piano proficiency test. These exams are used to determine the initial level of study in theory and piano

Contact Info: Dr. Thom Hasenpflug , Director of Percussion Studies at ISU

208-282-3705 • hasethom@isu.edu

Sample Audition Repertoire:

Snare Drum

Solos / etudes from:

Cirone Portraits in Rhythm

Whaley Intermediate Snare Drum Studies, Audition Solos

Goldenberg Modern School for Snare Drum

Schinstine Futuristic Snare Drum Solos

Pratt 14 Modern Contest Solos

Freytag Rudimental Cookbook or Just Desserts

Wilcoxin virtually anything

Keyboard

A 2 mallet xylophone rag of G.H. Green

Some of the easier 4 mallet solos by Mitch Peters or Alice Gomez

or, something more challenging and contemporary.

Garwood Whaley’s Musical Studies for Intermediate Mallet Player

An etude from M. Goldenberg’s Modern School for Xylophone

Vibes solos of Bill Molenhof

etc.

Timpani

An etude or solo from:

Garwood Whaley

Saul Goodman

Vic Firth

John Beck

or a set of orchestral-style excerpts; i.e., Beethoven, Brahms, etc.

Drumset

You may bring a prepared solo, a collection of drumset beat patterns, or just be prepared to demonstrate styles and/or chart reading.

Misc.

There are certainly other audition-worthy concepts; i.e., multi-percussion, steel drums, marching quads, etc. Please let us know if you have a specific interest in something special.

Equipment Requirements:

Unlike high schools, universities do not generally provide items of a personal nature such as sticks and mallets. Here is a list of equipment that you will find necessary:

First of all, use major or boutique brand name manufacturers. Do not use “no-frills” sticks or mallets that tend to warp, break, be mismatched or poorly weighted and balanced. Brands such as these below are generally your best bet:

Salyers Percussion (Dr. Hasenpflug’s preferred choice),

Vic Firth, Vater, Cooperman, Pro-Mark, Malletech,

Balter, Innovative Percussion, Encore, etc.

Here is what you need:

Drum

• Sticks, such as Salyers or Firth SD1, SD2, SD4, SD10, Vater, Innovative, etc.

• You need a pair for general purpose playing, (SD1 style), a small tip for

concert style playing (SD2 style), and some 5A style for drumset playing

• Brushes and/or Pro Mark Hot rods. (or Salyers Kendo sticks / Vic Firth Rutes, etc.)

Timpani

• General purpose mallets, one set medium, one set harder, such as Salyers Kirk Gay, or Bamboo, Firth T3/T1, Vater, Goodman, Payson, Hinger, Amy Putman, etc.

Marimba

• Set of 4 long handle - birch. Example, Salyers Performance or Earth Tone collection

Innovative Percussion 300, Balter 82 or 83 BB, Malletech Burritt or Concerto series, Vic Firth Van Sice or Giff Howarth, etc.

Vibes

• Set of 4 rattan, short birch,  or fiberglass handle. Cord wound, or hemp wound.

Bells/Xylophone

 • misc. rubber and plastic phenolic 1" balls. Salyers, Innovative, Malletech

Becker blues, Vic Firth 133/134, Steve Weiss makes his own brand, etc.

MISC:

•Stick bag to hold this stuff

•Drum key, tuning fork, metronome

•a practice pad; i.e., real feel or similar

As finances allow:

•Auxiliary instruments, such as Grover or Black Swamp Tambourine, Abel, Sabian, Black Swamp,  or Grover Triangle, LP or Rhythmtech Latin equipment (cowbells, cabasa, etc.) and so forth.

•Triangle Beaters and clips

• a snare drum and / or drumset

Music and Method Books:

You need to get several of these - see instructor for books related to your course of study.