University of Tennessee at Martin School of Music
AUDITION INFORMATION FOR PERCUSSION
Undergraduate Degree (B.M.M.E.)
Please contact Julie Hill, Director of Percussion Studies, to schedule an audition to be admitted as a Music Major specializing in percussion at UTM.
The following list serves as a guide to choosing appropriate audition material for incoming undergraduate students. Although this list serves only as a suggestion, please choose literature that is similar in style, depth, and breadth. You are encouraged to go beyond the scope of All-State audition music. The purpose of an audition is to demonstrate your talents, so choose literature that you are comfortable with.
Prospective music majors and minors should demonstrate ability in at least 3 percussion areas. Candidates are required to audition in the Mallet Keyboard area and two or more additional areas chosen from Snare Drum, Timpani, Multiple Percussion, and Drum Set/Hand Percussion.
Mallet Keyboard
• Technical demonstration and/or theoretical understanding of all major scales and arpeggios - two octaves.
• Chromatic scale - throughout your instrument’s entire range.
• A standard work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as Tambourin Chinois by Kreisler, Yellow After The Rain by Peters, Frogs by Abe, or a movement from Sonatas & Partitas for Violin by J.S. Bach.
It is recommended to perform a work that includes four mallet playing.
• Sight Reading (two mallets).
Snare Drum
• Selected rudiments from the 40 Percussive Arts Society International Drum Rudiments played in “open to closed to open” style.
• A solo or etude, in rudimental or concert style, such as Portraits in Rhythm by Cirone, Rudiments in Rhythm by Campbell, or 14 Modern Contest Solos by Pratt.
• Sight Reading.
Timpani
• A standard work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as Musical Studies for the Intermediate Timpanist by Whaley, The Solo Timpanist by Firth, or a movement from Sonata for Timpani by Beck.
• Demonstrate ability to tune multiple drums from a single given pitch.
• Sight Reading.
Multiple Percussion
• A standard work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as Studies in Solo Percussion by Goldenberg, Tork or Engine Room by Campbell, or a movement from the French Suite by Kraft.
Drum Set/Hand Percussion
• Demonstrate jazz, Latin, rock and other musical styles of drum set or hand percussion performance. Display time keeping and solo fills in each style.
• Chart sight reading will be required.
Please note that auditionees must play from original scores of their selected music – no duplicated copies will be allowed.
If a personal audition is not possible, you may submit a videotaped audition (audio recordings will not be acceptable for auditions). However, only live auditions can be considered for a scholarship.
MARCHING BAND AUDITION/SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The “Skyhawk” Marching Band allows anyone to audition for snare drum, front ensemble, multi-tenors, bass drum and cymbals. Placement auditions for non-music majors are held during the pre-season "Pre Camp". Contact Director of Bands, Brian Amaral at the UTM Band Office, (731) 881-7403 or visit their web site (http://www.utm.edu/departments/finearts/band/) for further information.
ADDITIONAL INQUIRY
All questions pertaining to repertoire, auditions, or curriculum can be directed to:
Julie Hill
Assistant Professor of Music
Director of Percussion Studies
731-881-7418
jhill@utm.edu
PERCUSSION STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN
The Percussion Studies Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin is designed with a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The goal of the percussion curriculum is to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, cultural awareness, and technological literacy in both performance and pedagogy. Regardless of degree concentration, the undergraduate student will maintain regular study of keyboard percussion and additional directed areas based on individual goals and needs. The Percussion Studies Program provides professional-level experiences and opportunities for all students that foster growth through self-discipline, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Successful students will embrace these challenges as they develop a passion for life-long learning that will lead to a rewarding career.
The Percussion Studies Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin is designed with a comprehensive approach to the study and performance of literature in all styles and idioms of music. The goal of the percussion curriculum is to develop musicianship, technical proficiency, cultural awareness, and technological literacy in both performance and pedagogy. The Percussion Studies Program provides professional-level experiences and opportunities for all students that foster growth through self-discipline, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Successful students will embrace these challenges as they develop a passion for life-long learning that will lead to a rewarding career.
UTM graduates have secured successful teaching careers in public schools and at colleges such as the University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Louisville, San Jose State University. Recent graduates have pursued their Master Of Music degrees in Percussion and have received Graduate Teaching Assistantships to universities such as the University of Kentucky, University of Wisconsin (Madison), and Central Arkansas University. Another graduate has recently been named mayor of a West TN town.
The UTM Percussion Ensemble has performed with world renown artists such as Zoro, Anders Astrand, Michael Gould, James Campbell, Miles Osland, Steve Houghton, Ney Rosauro, the Caixa Trio, and Matt Savage.
Current information on student activities can be found on the UT Martin website
http://www.utm.edu/departments/finearts/music/ or contact: jhill@utm.edu
