Prescreen required for all applicants.
The following audition information is for the 2020-2021 school year. In response to the ongoing global health crisis, we are currently reviewing our audition procedures for the 2021-2022 school year to meet state and university guidelines related to COVID-19. Please check back for updates!
For your video recording, repertoire should be performed in its entirety (no editing within the work). However, it is acceptable to record each prepared piece separately.
Please submit a copy of your audition repertoire in addition to the video recording.
You must also submit three letters of recommendation.
Choose your audition repertoire carefully. Please consider selections that you can perform well versus very challenging works that might be a “hit or miss” in an audition situation. In general, the level of the repertoire is not as important as your ability to show your overall musicianship with a piece of music that is firmly within your grasp.
Auditions are by invitation only based on prescreen review.
If selected to perform an on-campus audition, your live audition may include the same repertoire as your prescreen. However, other works not presented in your prescreen are also acceptable.
Choose your audition repertoire carefully. Please consider selections that you can perform well vs. very challenging works that might be a “hit or miss” in an audition situation. In general, the level of the repertoire is not as important as your ability to show your overall musicianship with a piece of music that is firmly in your grasp.
All applicants must provide 3 copies of their audition repertoire to the audition committee.
Sight-reading will be requested during the live auditions.
The following instruments will be provided by the percussion department for the live auditions:
If any additional equipment is needed (multiple percussion, piano, etc.), please notify the chair of the department, John Tafoya, at 812-855-4839, at least one week prior to the audition date. Candidates must bring their own sticks/mallets and are encouraged to bring their own small instruments.
The percussion department does not make admission decisions on a rolling basis. All applicants who have been invited to audition in person will be notified of an admission decision by April 1, as long as the applicant has a complete application.
Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)
The curriculum for all undergraduate B.M., B.M.E., and B.S.O.F. percussion majors involves comprehensive study in all areas of percussion, including snare drum, marimba, orchestral percussion and timpani, drum set, jazz vibes, and world percussion.
Repertoire requirements:
Please use a tuning fork to obtain the necessary pitches in your selected solo or etude. If you plan to perform any work that includes "butt-ends" on timpani (e.g., Carter: March, Vic Firth Etude I, etc.), please cover the end of your mallets with moleskin or something similar. Any solo that includes "playing on the bowls" is not recommended.
Master of Music (M.M.), Performer Diploma, Solo Performance (P.D.S.P.)
Repertoire requirements
Snare Drum: A Delecluse etude or advanced level solo/etude of your choice
Timpani : An advanced level solo or etude.
Marimba: An advanced-level solo (4-mallet) suitable for a senior recital
Multiple Percussion: A short multiple percussion solo or featured part in chamber percussion, mixed chamber, or solo setting. This can be from a live rehearsal, recital or concert. A brief 2-3 minute excerpt is acceptable.
Orchestral Excerpts
Snare Drum
Prokofiev - Lieutenant Kijé, Mvt. I (rehearsal 1-1 to measure before rehearsal 2)
Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade, Mvt. IV (4 measures before letter N to 18 measures after letter N)
Timpani
Beethoven - Symphony No.9, Mvt. IV (7 measures after letter T to the end)
Xylophone
Gershwin - Porgy and Bess (opening measures)
Copland: Appalachian Spring (fifth measure of rehearsal 48 to four measures after rehearsal 49)
Glockenspiel
Optional
For graduate applicants seeking Associate Instructorships, a drum set solo (and experience in drum set instruction) is mandatory.
Graduate applicants who wish to focus only on World Percussion should prepare:
Applicants seeking an Associate Instructorship in the area of World Percussion must include a performance on the World Percussion instrument of their choice or include an etude from "The Language of the Masters" (Spiro/Sher Music - http://www.shermusic.com/1883217881.php).
Doctor of Music (D.M.)
The percussion faculty encourages all potential D.M. applicants to review the curriculum requirements for this degree program.
Repertoire requirements
Snare Drum: A Delecluse etude or advanced level solo/etude of your choice
Timpani: An advanced level solo or etude
Marimba: An advanced-level solo or etude (4-mallet) suitable for a senior recital
Orchestral Excerpts
Snare Drum
Prokofiev - Lieutenant Kijé, Mvt. I (rehearsal 1-1 to measure before rehearsal 2)
Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade, Mvt. IV (4 measures before letter N to 18 measures after letter N)
Timpani
Beethoven - Symphony No.9, Mvt. IV (7 measures after letter T to the end)
Bartok - Concerto for Orchestra, Mvt. IV (measures 42-50)
Xylophone
Gershwin - Porgy and Bess (opening measures)
Copland - Appalachian Spring (fifth measure of rehearsal 48 to four measures after rehearsal 49)
Glockenspiel
Dukas - Sorcerer's Apprentice (rehearsal 17 to 4 measures after rehearsal 19; rehearsal 22 to rehearsal 24)
Optional
If your intended course of graduate study includes drum set, prepare a big band chart, transcription, or published solo. In addition, you must demonstrate time and soloing in the following styles: medium swing, up-tempo swing, rock, bossa nova, and samba (play-along tracks are preferred).
A prepared jazz vibraphone solo or etude is also strongly encouraged.
For D.M. applicants seeking Associate Instructorships, a drum set solo (and experience in drum set instruction) is encouraged but not mandatory.
If you have any experience with World Percussion (Afro-Cuban hand-drumming, Steel Pan, Brazilian, etc.), a short performance is encouraged but not mandatory.
D.M. applicants who wish to focus only on World Percussion should prepare:
One etude from "The Language of the Masters" (Spiro/Sher Music - http://www.shermusic.com/1883217881.php)
Two other solos in contrasting styles, including a hand drumming solo and stick drumming solo (sing one piece in the language of one of your chosen solo areas)
These solos will take the place of the snare drum, timpani, marimba, solo and orchestral repertoire requirements.
General sight-reading at the live audition may be requested.
Applicants seeking an Associate Instructorship in the area of World Percussion must include a performance on the World Percussion instrument of their choice or include an etude from "The Language of the Masters" (Spiro/Sher Music - http://www.shermusic.com/1883217881.php)
| When | What | Who |
|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2020 | IU application due | Undergraduate applicants |
| December 1, 2020 | IU Graduate School application due | Graduate and diploma applicants |
| December 1, 2020 | Jacobs Supplemental application due. (Prescreen materials due, as applicable to your audition requirements) |
All applicants |
| December 1, 2020 | TOEFL scores due | Non-native English speaking applicants in Voice (all), Piano (D.M. only), Conducting, Musicology, and Graduate music education |
| March 1, 2021 | TOEFL scores due | All non-native English speaking applicants |
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