Percussion Audition Requirements

Classical

Classical percussionists should prepare materials in at least two of the following areas. However, we highly recommend that you demonstrate proficiency in all four areas. You should also submit the video introduction, which is detailed below. If you are unable to present all of the suggested audition materials, please submit materials that best display your present level and potential.

• Snare drum - Two contrasting etudes/solos
• Keyboard percussion - One etude or solo for two or four mallets
• Timpani - Two contrasting etudes/solos
• Drum set - Demonstrate proficiency in each of the following areas:
  • Jazz - Proficiency of this idiom at various tempos, demonstrating independence
  • Rock/Funk - Proficiency of this idiom incorporating fills/breaks
  • Soloing - Trading fours, filling, and improvising over an ostinato

Suggested repertoire:

• Snare Drum:
  • Cirone - Portraits in Rhythm
  • Delecluse - 12 Etudes
  • Whaley - Musical Studies for the Intermediate Snare Drummer
  • Whaley - Recital Solos for Snare Drum
  • Peters - Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Studies
  • Aleo - Advanced Etudes for Snare Drum
  • Pratt - 14 Modern Contest Solos
  • Wilcoxon - Modern Rudimental Swing Solos
• Keyboard Percussion:
  • Goldenberg - Modern School
  • Peters - Fundamental Method for Mallets
  • Gottlieb - Masterworks for Marimba
  • Whaley - Fundamental Studies for Mallets
  • McMillian - Masterpieces for Marimba
  • Whaley - Intermediate Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player
  • Zivkovic - Funny Mallets
  • Quartier - Imagine
  • Faines - Sequential Studies for Four Mallet Marimba
  • Ford - Technique Through Music
• Timpani:
  • Vic Firth - The Solo Timpanist
  • Hochrainer - Etuden for Timpani (book 1, 2 or 3)
  • Goodman - Modern Method for Timpani
  • Beck - Sonata for Timpani
  • Beck - Concepts for Timpani
  • Peters - Fundamental Method for Timpani
  • Peters - Fundamental Solos for Timpani
  • Whaley - Musical Studies for the Intermediate Timpanist

Video Introduction: Tell us about who you are as an artist. Record a short (2-5 minutes) video introduction, including information about your artistic journey, such as the kinds of classes or lessons you have taken, your artistic accomplishments, any awards you have won, groups you have participated in, artistic experiences that have been particularly meaningful, and anything else you would like for us to know about you as an artist.

If you are unable to present all of the suggested audition materials, please submit materials that best display your present level and potential.

Jazz

Please prepare two jazz standards that highlight your proficiency as a jazz musician.

If you are submitting a recorded audition, you may play solo or with a group. You can also play with a guitarist, pianist, or backing track. If you are performing with other musicians, please make sure you can easily be identified.

During a live audition, you may be asked to play swing, Latin, and contemporary styles in a variety of tempos.

Video Introduction: Tell us about who you are as an artist. Record a short (2-5 minutes) video introduction, including information about your artistic journey, such as the kinds of classes or lessons you have taken, your artistic accomplishments, any awards you have won, groups you have participated in, artistic experiences that have been particularly meaningful, and anything else you would like for us to know about you as an artist.

If you are unable to present all of the suggested audition materials, please submit materials that best display your present level and potential.

Apply Now

For more detailed information on the Interlochen Arts Academy application process, please visit our How to Apply page.