PERCUSSION ADMISSIONS & |
This page is designed to guide prospective students through the requirements,
expectations, and process for auditions and admission to the Department of
Percussion Studies. For undergraduates, general admission information for the Moores School of Music
can be found at www.music.uh.edu/prospective/undergraduate.html.
For undergraduates, general admission information for the Moores School of Music
can be found at www.music.uh.edu/prospective/graduate.html.
Established audition dates are held each Spring on the University of Houston Campus and are included on the links above. If none of these listed audition dates is possible for you, please contact Dr. Wilkins to arrange an alternate audition date. We invite all interested percussionists to audition for our program! There is no cost for auditioning for the Moores School of Music. However, please be aware that positions available for admission into the percussion program are limited, so auditions are competitive. We recommend that prospective students be well prepared for the audition.
UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Prepared LiteratureAll undergraduate applicants should demonstrate their skills in the following areas: Snare Drum, Timpani, and Mallet Percussion (Marimba and/or Xylophone). Applicants must prepare two (2) Snare Drums solo, one in concert style and one in rudimental style; two Keyboard solos, one using 2 mallets and one using 4 mallets (but only if the applicant has already studied 4-mallet playing); and one timpani piece. Because of time constraints in the auditions, additional playing of drum set is not recommended. The following literature recommendations are provided only as samples of appropriate literature for an undergraduate audition. Any piece is acceptable so long as it adequately demonstrates your technical and musical abilities on the instrument: Snare DrumRegardless of the literature you ultimately select to play, do not try to impress us by playing a difficult piece if you cannot play it correctly. It is much better to select a piece that is within your grasp and perform it well!Keyboard Sight Reading In addition to the prepared literature, the audition will include sight-reading on Snare Drum and Marimba (2-mallet technique only). The sight-reading portion of the audition is a very important dimension of your audition. Significant deficiencies in sight-reading in these areas often preclude otherwise skilled percussionists from admission into the program! Timpani Tuning In addition to the above, you will be asked to match pitches and tune simple intervals on timpani. Don't worry! Most incoming students have not had comprehensive ear training prior to entering the Moores School of Music. This portion of the audition is simply to evaluate your currently level of aural skills on timpani. Each undergraduate applicant is allotted at total audition time of 20 minutes. Other Requirements & Recommendations for Your Audition 1.) Compile a repertoire list: this is a list of all the solos and percussion ensembles you have played. GRADUATE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Prepared Literature Auditions for the Master of Music Degree in Percussion must be a minimum of 30 minutes, and not more than 45 minutes. Minimum audition requirements for percussion applicants are as follows, including suggested amount of time for each:
Other Requirements & Recommendations for Your Audition 1.) Please provide a brief vita identifying your education, music employment background, awards and honors you have received both in music and in other areas, etc.
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