Prepare at least one solo or etude on all three of the main concert percussion instruments:
Snare Drum
Both Concert and Rudimental Snare Drum solos are acceptable.
Performance majors are encouraged to prepare both a Concert and Rudimental Solo.
Suggested repertoire: Method for Snare Drum, Douze Etudes, or Keiskleiriana by Delecluse, Portraits in Rhythm by Cirone, Advanced Snare Drum Studies by Peters, All-American Drummer by Wilcoxon, 14 Modern Contest Solos by Pratt.
Mallet Keyboard
A two-mallet solo/etude is required.
An additional four-mallet solo/etude is recommended.
Suggested two-mallet repertoire: Funny Mallets by Zivkovic, Masterworks for Mallets by Gottlieb, Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone by Goldenberg, various Xylophone Rags by G.H. Green.
Suggested four-mallet repertoire: Marimba: Technique Through Music by Ford, Impressions on Wood by Davila, A Fresh Approach to Technique and Musicianship with Four Mallets by Skidmore, or solos by Abe, Sammut, Peters, Smadbeck, Stout, etc.
Timpani
Solo/etude can be for any number of drums and involve any amount of re-tuning.
Must demonstrate ability to tune the drums by ear.
Suggested repertoire: The Artist Timpanist by Patton, The Solo Timpanist by Firth, Timpani Technique for the Virtuoso Timpanist by Hinger or etude collections by Hochrainer, Lepak, or Goodman.
Performing on the drumset is an option, but not required for Music Education, Music Performance, Music Industry Studies, or Composition & Theory majors.
- If you would like to play drum set in your audition, please demonstrate basic grooves in various styles for one to two minutes including:
- Swing (medium tempo - including trading 4's with yourself)
- Funk or other rock styles
- Afro-Brazilian styles like bossa nova and samba
- Jazz waltz
Jazz Performance Majors:
- Please be prepared to demonstrate a variety of styles on drum set, in a variety of tempos, including those listed above.
- Please also be prepared to demonstrate facility with brushes in any style.
- Prepare one big band chart or similar etude that demonstrates ability to interpret setups and hits.
- Music Performance majors in the Jazz concentration should also demonstrate proficiency on snare drum and mallets, including rudiments, scales, and any available etudes (as listed above).
Music Performance students interested in the Jazz Concentration should also familiarize themselves with the audition requirements for the Jazz Concentration.
Performing selections from any other repertoire source is also welcome, as are orchestral excerpts. If you have any questions about repertoire, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Brady Spitz at spitzbj@appstate.edu.
If access to some of these percussion instruments is not possible, please contact: Dr. Brady Spitz, Professor of Percussion, at spitzbj@appstate.edu or 828-262-4979.
All solos and etudes suggested may be purchased from:
Steve Weiss Music
888-659-3477
(updated August 2025)