Jacobs School of Music

Percussion Audition Information

Along with the application to the Jacobs School of Music, all applicants in percussion must submit a screening video recording online to the Office of Music Admissions.

At the beginning of the video recording, please state your name, degree objective and (if you are an undergraduate) whether you are a freshman or transfer from another school. At the end of the video recording, please take 2-3 minutes to comment on why the IU Percussion Department interests you and what you hope to accomplish while attending Indiana University.

If selected to perform an on-campus audition, your live audition should include some of the same repertoire as your screening video recording. However, other works not presented on the screening video recording are also acceptable.

Choose your audition repertoire carefully.  Please consider selections that you can perform well vs. very challenging works that might be a “hit or miss” in an audition situation.  In general, the level of the repertoire is not as important as your ability to show your overall musicianship with a piece of music that is firmly in your grasp.

*Please note that the Percussion Department does not make admission decisions on a rolling basis. All applicants who have been invited to audition in person will be notified of an admission decision by April 1 (as long as the applicant has a complete application).

The requirements for the screening video recording and the live (on campus) audition are listed below. Please be sure to scroll down to find the appropriate information in regard to your desired degree program.   

BM, BME, and BSOF

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Percussion Department's curriculum for all undergraduate percussion majors interested in the above degree programs involves comprehensive study in all areas of percussion including:  snare drum, marimba, orchestral percussion and timpani, drum set, jazz vibes, and world percussion.

Snare Drum: One solo or etude from Delecluse, Albright, Cirone, Peters, Goldenberg, or equivalent.

Marimba: 4-mallet solo. One movement or solo/etude from Stout, Abe J.S. Bach, Sammut, Zivkovic, Rosauro, or equivalent

Timpani: A short solo or etude: 3-4 timpani preferred (Carter, Goodman, Vic Firth, Peters, Delecluse, Schinstine, or equivalent). Please use a tunung fork to obtain the necessary pitches in your selected solo or etude.

*Please note: If you plan to perform any work that includes "butt-ends" on timpani (Carter: March, Vic Firth Etude I, etc.) please cover the end of your mallets with moleskin or something similar. Any solo that includes "playing on the bowls" is not recommended.

Drum Set: Demonstrate basic skills and techniques on drum set with an emphasis on time and feel.  Perform a basic groove in the styles of jazz, rock and Latin with a play-along track of your choice.  The appropriate tracks can be found in "Drumset 101" or "Essential Styles" book one (Alfred Publishing). 

World Percussion: Demonstrate basic skills and techniques on the world percussion instrument of your choice (conga drum, timbales, djembe, dumbek, etc.) with an emphasis on good time and feel.  Knowledge of the appropriate musical context is expected.   Suggested material: Afro-Cuban rhythms presented in "Introduction to the Conga Drum" DVD (Spiro/SherMusic - http://www.shermusic.com/new/242169.shtml), Part III.

Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies

Snare Drum: One solo or etude from Delecluse, Albright, Cirone, Peters, Goldenberg, or equivalent.

Drum Set: A prepared drum set piece: A big band chart, transcription or published solo. Demonstration of time and soloing in the following styles: medium swing, up-tempo swing, rock, bossa nova, and samba (play-along tracks are preferred).

Jazz Vibes: A jazz standard, transcription, or solo work (2 or 4 mallets)

World Percussion: Demonstrate basic skills and techniques on the world percussion instrument of your choice (conga drum, timbales, djembe, dumbek, etc.) with an emphasis on good time and feel.  Knowledge of the appropriate musical context is expected.   Suggested material: Afro-Cuban rhythms presented in "Introduction to the Conga Drum" DVD (Spiro/SherMusic - http://www.shermusic.com/new/242169.shtml), Part III.

Updated on 09/12/2018