Bard College Conservatory of Music

Percussion Audition Information

Prescreening recordings may be submitted online as either audio or video. These are the repertoire requirements for applicants of the Undergraduate Double Degree, US-China Music Institute, and Advanced Performance Studies program.
Please note that piano accompaniment is not provided, and is not required, for final auditions.

Percussion (BM)

Prescreening Repertoire:

·         Marimba: Mallet solo (5-12 minutes)

·         Timpani: An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Elliott Carter Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani, Richard Hochrainer Etuden Für Timpani, Jacques Delecluse Vingt Etudes

·         Snare Drum: An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Delecluse Douze Etudes, Smith Publications' The Noble Snare Collection

·         Something Else (optional): Send us something else that makes you a unique musician. Possibilities could include orchestra excerpts, steel drum playing, multiple percussion solo, drumset, even another instrument

Final Audition Repertoire:

·         Marimba:

o    Four mallet solo (5-12 minutes in length)

o    Two mallet solo (transcription of J.S. Bach or other substantial work)

o    Two mallet sight-reading may be asked at live audition

·         Timpani:

o    An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Elliott Carter Eight Pieces for Solo Timpani, Richard Hochrainer Etuden Für Timpani, Jacques Delecluse Vingt Etudes

o    Interval knowledge and basic tuning may be examined

·         Snare Drum:

o    An étude of choice. The following are recommended: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Delecluse Douze Etudes, Smith Publications' The Noble Snare Collection

o    Sight-reading may be asked

·         Chamber Music:

o    Candidate will be asked to sight-read an excerpt from the chamber music repertoire with members of the percussion faculty. Music and instruments will be provided

·         Something Else (optional): Please feel welcome to bring in something else that makes you a unique musician. Possibilities could include orchestra excerpts, steel drum playing, multiple percussion solo, drumset, even another instrument.

                                                                                                                               Updated on 04/05/2019