Drum Set
In addition to the general audition requirements, you may also be asked to play selected examples from the following list of grooves:
- 4/4 swing
- 3/4 swing
- Jazz shuffle
- Funk
- Rock
- Bossa nova
- Mambo
- Calypso/soca
-
Reggae
Audition Day Checklist
- Full drum kit
- Practice pad and stand (for warmup)
- Drum key
Hand Percussion
You may audition with hand percussion instruments such as congas, bongos, cajon, timbales, frame drum, or another primary instrument. In addition to the general audition requirements, be prepared to demonstrate the following:
- Specific, basic tone on the conga drum (closed tones, open tones, heel-toe, hand-rocking motion, slaps muted, and slaps open)
- Basic performance of timekeeping for cha-cha and mambo
- Congas: basic tumbao rhythm at a slow tempo—including some basic variations and improvisations
- Bongos: basic martillo rhythm at a slow tempo—including some basic variations and improvisations
You may also demonstrate any knowledge of basic Afro-Cuban and/or Brazilian accessory percussion instruments.
Audition Day Checklist
-
Primary instrument(s)
Marimba and Vibraphone
You may choose to select a two- or four-mallet prepared piece that demonstrates your strengths on the instrument.
Audition Day Checklist
- Instrument
- Mallets
Steelpan
You may choose a composition for solo steelpan featuring two-, three-, or four-mallet technique. You may also perform a traditional or contemporary melody arranged for steelpan, which may be accompanied by a play-along recording.
Audition Day Checklist
- Instrument
- Mallets
Orchestral Percussion
All orchestral percussion principals are required to audition in Boston or online.
In addition to the general audition requirements, be prepared to demonstrate your technical facility via typical practice routines and exercises (scales, arpeggios, etc.) on either vibraphone or marimba, or to showcase rudiments on the snare drum.
Orchestral percussion principals study a wide range of instruments (timpani, snare drum, tambourine, cymbals, etc.) that are typically associated with orchestra, chamber, and contemporary percussion, and theater idioms. Therefore, we will assess your proficiency on a variety of orchestral percussion instruments.
You may perform your prepared piece on one of the following instruments:
- Concert snare drum
- Solo marimba
- Solo timpani
Audition Day Checklist
- Instrument(s)
- Mallets
- Sticks