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 selections on the three main instruments 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.
Performing on the drumset is an option but not required. If you are doing so, demonstrate basic grooves for one to two minutes including: swing (medium tempo - including trading 4's with yourself) trading 4's with yourself, funk, bossa, samba, and waltz.
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 July 2024)