Studio audition requirements
The specific repertoire you audition with is your choice. This helps us get a sense of your preferences and unique musical personality. We highly encourage you to choose repertoire that you feel you can master and perform extremely well. We would rather hear an amazing performance of a less difficult piece than an OK performance of a more difficult piece.
An accompanist is neither required nor provided. You may bring an accompanist at your own discretion.
Link for application - www.music.msu.edu/admissions
Undergraduate
Snare solo or etude, symphonic / orchestral style
Snare solo or etude, rudimental / traditional
Four-mallet solo
Two-mallet solo
Timpani solo or etude
Sight-reading on snare drum and keyboard
Tuning on timpani
Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts and Performance Diploma
Applicants are required to submit a prescreening recording by December 1 (audio and video required). The recording quality must be sufficient to make a reasonable judgment of ability. Recordings will be reviewed by a committee from the percussion area beginning the week following the December 1 deadline. You will be notified via email as to whether or not you have been invited for a live audition. Recordings received after December 1 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Prescreening Recording:
Keyboard
Significant solo repertoire
Timpani
Advanced solo or etude
One orchestral excerpt
Snare drum
Advanced solo or etude
One orchestral excerpt
Optional
Demonstrate other areas of expertise (e.g., multiple percussion, drum set, hand drumming..etc)
Live Audition:
Keyboard
Two pieces selected from significant solo repertoire. At least one must be 4-mallets.
Two xylophone excerpts
Timpani
Advanced solo or etude
Two orchestral excerpts
Snare drum
Advanced solo or etude
Two orchestral excerpts
Multiple percussion
Please send a video of a performance in advance of the live audition or bring a video to your live audition.
Be prepared for sight reading and timpani tuning exercises
Optional: Demonstrate other areas of expertise (e.g., drum set, hand drumming)