WSU Percussion Audition Information  

Prospective students may audition for admittance into the percussion studio by appointment at any time, however it is recommended that students attend specified scholarship audition dates to audition for both admittance to the studio and scholarship consideration.

Audition dates for this year are:
Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 (Early Decision Scholarship Auditions) and Saturday, Mar. 14, 2009

The course of study in percussion includes demonstrated proficiency in the following four areas:

1. Snare drum
2. Mallets (marimba and vibraphone)
3. Timpani
4. Drumset
   

Entrance requirements for MUS 166 (Freshman level) percussion lessons

1. Snare drum

• Concert style – Mitchell Peters, Intermediate Snare Drum Studies – Etude 12 or equivalent (strong-hand lead, dynamics, basic technique, concert roll fundamentals
• Rudimental style – C. Wilcoxen, Rudimental Swing Solos or J. S. Pratt, 14 Contest Solos or equivalent (also, PAS 40 basic rudiments at tempo)

2. Mallets

• 2-mallet fundamentals including:
• major scales – one octave
• treble-clef reading – Goldenberg, Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone p. 28 or MacMillan, Masterpieces for Marimba (any solo) or equivalent

3. Timpani

• Basic tuning and matching pitch
• Basic grip and roll
• Bass-clef reading

4. Drumset

• Styles (Rock, Swing, Latin)
• Independence fundamentals - Riley, Art of Bop Drumming p. 23 or equivalent
   

For further information, please contact Dr. R. Richard MacDonald.