Percussion Auditions

There is an Application Process that must take place prior to auditioning. Please carefully follow all of the steps listed on the Application Process and Auditions Information page.

Prospective percussion music majors and minors should demonstrate ability in three core areas: mallet keyboard, snare drum, and timpani. Please bring your own mallets as well as the original scores of all the music you will be performing for your audition. Additionally, please prepare a resume for your audition: list your school work, activities, honors and awards, and be sure to note any musical activities or accomplishments you have had outside of school. 

Please contact Dr. Francisco Perez (fperez4@lamar.edu) for any questions regarding the percussion program or audition repertoire.


Undergraduate Requirements

Snare Drum  (one required; optional additional solo in contrasting style)

  • A solo or etude in concert style from Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm, Peters’ Intermediate Snare Drum Studies, Delecluse’s Douze Études, or similar.
  • A solo or etude in rudimental style from Pratt’s 14 Modern Contest Solos or Freytag’s Rudimental Cookbook, or similar.

Mallet Keyboard (one required; optional additional solo)

  • Standard two-mallet OR four-mallet solo works or etudes to demonstrate musicianship such as etudes from All-Region Band auditions, a movement from Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Violin, Peters’ Yellow After the Rain, Ford’s Marimba: Technique Through Music,  or any Class I or II work.
  • Knowledge of all major scales.

Timpani     

  • A standard work or etude to demonstrate musicianship such as an etude from All-Region Band auditions, Firth’s The Solo Timpanist, Beck’s Five Movements for Solo Timpani, or similar Class I and II solos.

Optional Areas for Video Submission

Optional video recordings to be emailed to Dr. Perez prior to the live audition.

  • Multiple-percussion – A standard work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as Campbell’s Tork or Engine Room, or similar Class I or II solo.
  • Drumset or World Percussion – Demonstrate any jazz, rock, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Asian, or other musical styles of drum set, hand percussion, or world music performance.

Graduate Requirements

Snare Drum (two solos in contrasting styles)     

  • A solo or etude in concert style from Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm, Peters’ Advanced Snare Drum Studies, Delecluse’s Douze Études, or similar.
  • A solo or etude in rudimental style from Pratt’s 14 Modern Contest Solos, Freytag’s Rudimental Cookbook, Tompkins Nine French Rudimental Solos, similar, or from a senior recital.

Mallet Keyboard (one four-mallet required; optional additional solo)

  • Standard four-mallet solo works or etudes to demonstrate musicianship suitable of a senior recital.
  • Optional two mallet such as a selection from Bach or other.
  • Knowledge of all major and natural minor scales.

Timpani     

  • A standard work or etude to demonstrate musicianship such as Firth’s The Solo Timpanist, Beck’s Five Movements for Solo Timpani, or similar Class I and II solos or senior recital.
  • A demonstrated ability to tune multiple drums from a single given pitch.

Optional Areas for Video Submission

Optional video recordings to be emailed to Dr. Perez prior to the live audition.

  • Orchestral excerpts (any instruments)
  • Multiple-percussion – A standard work or study suitable for a senior recital.
  • Drumset or World Percussion – Demonstrate jazz, rock, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Asian, and/or other musical styles of drum set, hand percussion, or world music performance. Display time-keeping and solo fills in each style.

Non-Major Music Scholarship Percussion Audition Requirements

Snare Drum (one short solo/etude)     

  • A short snare drum etude (at least 45 seconds) demonstrating buzz rolls and musicality such as any etude from All-Region Band auditions.

Mallet Keyboard (one short solo/etude)

  • Standard two-mallet OR four-mallet solo works or etudes to demonstrate musicianship and knowledge of the instrument.
  • You may submit a short excerpt of the work (at least 45 seconds).
  • Knowledge of all major scales.