Please look at each category below. Select the category in which you plan on entering CSUN. Prepare the audition material in that category. Be sure that you apply to the university by the deadline and also fill out a department of music audition application.
Category I. Graduate Auditions: Master of Music in Percussion Performance
It is expected that those auditioning into the Master of Music program in Percussion Performance will have already completed the degree of Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance at a comparable institution.
Snare Drum
One Etude from 12 Etudes for Snare Drum by Jacques Delecluse
One Rudimental Solo of your choosing
Timpani (select only one of the following)
One Solo Utilizing 4 drums and demonstrating some tuning changes
Marimba
One short work by J.S. Bach (2 or 4 mallets)
One substantial four mallet marimba solo (5 to 15 minutes in length)
Sight Reading
Snare Drum and Marimba
In addition the student should have one of the following choices prepared:
- An original work or arrangement for solo vibraphone
- A work for multiple percussion
- A group of at least 5 orchestral excerpts
Category II. Transfer Students: Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance
Snare Drum
One advanced snare solo by Mitchell Peters, Anthone Cirone or Jaques Delecleuse
Timpani
One advanced 4 drum etude by Peters or a work of equal difficulty
Marimba
An advanced four mallet work of 4-10 minutes in length
All 12 major scales and all 12 harmonic minor scales
Sight Reading
Snare Drum and Marimba
Optional
- A short original work or arrangement for vibraphone (3-8 minutes)
- A multiple percussion work
- Orchestral Excerpts
Category III. Freshman: Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance
Snare Drum
One advanced snare solo by Mitchell Peters, Anthony Cirone or Jaques Delecluse
Timpani
One intermediate to advanced timpani work for 2 to 4 drums
Marimba
An intermediate to advanced two or four mallet work of 4-10 minutes in length
12 major scales and all 12 harmonic minor scales
Sight Reading
Snare Drum and Marimba
Optional
- A work for vibraphone
- A multiple percussion piece
- Orchestral excerpts
Category IV. Transfers and Freshman: Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
Snare
One Intermediate or Advanced Etude by Mitchell Peters
Timpani
One 2, 3 or 4 drum timpani etude of your choice
Marimba
A two or 4 mallet work of intermediate to advanced level (4-8 minutes)
All 12 major and all 12 harmonic minor scales
Category V. Transfers: Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry or Music Therapy
Snare
One Intermediate or Advanced Etude by Mitchell Peters
Marimba or Vibraphone
A two mallet piece from one of the following books:
Whaley: Musical Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player OR
Peters: Fundamental Method for Mallets (vol 1)
OR a four mallet piece of the student's choice
3 different major scales (up to 4 sharps or flats) 2 octaves
Timpani - Optional
Category VI. Freshman: Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry or Music Therapy
Snare
One Etude from Intermediate Snare Drum Studies by Mitchell
Marimba or Vibraphone
A two mallet piece from one of the following books:
Whaley: Musical Studies for the Intermediate Mallet Player OR
Peters: Fundamental Method for Mallets (vol 1)
OR a four mallet piece of the student's choice
3 different major scales (up to 4 sharps or flats) 2 octaves
Timpani - Optional
Category VII. Transfer: Bachelor of Music in Composition or Media Composition
Follow the requirements of Category IV.
Category VIII. Freshman: Bachelor of Music in Composition or Media Composition
Follow the requirements of Category V.