Percussion Prescreening & Audition Procedures

Information for prospective percussion students applying to Manhattan School of Music.

Percussion Prescreening Requirements

Undergraduate (BM)

There are no prescreening requirements for Undergraduate Percussion applicants.
Graduate (MM)
- Snare Drum: Solo Piece or etude AND Prokofiev – Lt. Kije (mvt I, reh 1-2)
- Mallets: 2-4 minute excerpts from two contrasting solos – one with two mallets, one with fours mallets AND Gershwin – Porgy and Bess (opening)
- Timpani: Solo Piece or etude AND Beethoven – Symphony #9
  (mvt I, mm 513 to the end)
- Tambourine: Dvorak – Carnival Overture (beginning to letter C)
Doctoral (DMA) & Professional Studies (PS)
- Snare Drum: Solo Piece AND 2 contrasting orchestral excerpts
- Mallets: Two solos in contrasting styles AND 2 contrasting orchestral xylophone excerpts
- Timpani: Solo AND 2 contrasting orchestral excerpts
- Tambourine: Dvorak – Carnival Overture (beginning to letter C)
- Multiple Percussion: Solo

Percussion Audition Requirements

Auditions are approximately 20 minutes in length for freshmen applicants, approximately 30 minutes for others. You will choose a first work, and the faculty will choose other works from a repertoire you provide. Be prepared to present at least two copies of the material you present.

Note to International Students: Live auditions are encouraged. However, if sending a DVD, please introduce yourself and explain your career goals and plans.

Undergraduate (BM)
- Snare Drum: Two contrasting solos or etudes, one of them in rudimental style
- Marimba: Two contrasting solos, one with two mallets, one with four mallets (one solo may be played on xylophone or vibes); you will be judged on sight reading
- Timpani: One solo or etude
Graduate (MM)
- Snare Drum: Two contrasting solos or etudes, one of then in rudimental style
- Marimba: Two contrasting solos – one with two mallets, one with four mallets (one solo may be played on xylophone or vibes); you will be judged on sight reading
- Timpani: One solo
Orchestral Excerpts: Three to four each for Snare drum, xylophone, timpani; two each for glockenspiel, tambourine, and cymbals. (Try to select excerpts in contrasting styles).
Doctoral (DMA) & Professional Studies (PS)
A DVD of multi-percussion performances should be submitted to augment the live audition. The DVD may include any additional performances that the candidate would like the faculty to hear. In addition to the requirements listed below, the live audition will include a dialog with the faculty regarding your goals and expectations for study at MSM.
- Portions of a full-length recital: The audition must include works of contrasting style for mallets, timpani, snare drum, and multi- percussion.
- Orchestral repertoire for all instruments at the professional level: three to six excerpts for snare drum, xylophone, timpani; two each for glockenspiel, tambourine, cymbals.