Percussion Studies at the University of Kentucky

Jim Campbell - Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor, Director of Percussion Studies

GRADUATE AUDITION INFORMATION FOR PERCUSSION (M.M., D.M.A.)

Thank you for your interest in the Percussion Studies program at the University of Kentucky. I have included some specifics regarding the audition process and some information regarding tuition savings. Although there are limited percussion teaching assistantship opportunities, these are highly competitive and will be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the required placement exams, the audition process, and have been accepted by the Graduate School. If you are interested, you will be competing against other candidates for one of these positions.

Applicants for all graduate programs in music are required to take placement exams in the areas of music theory and music history. Please consult Information for Prospective Graduate Students in the Admissions section of the School of Music web site. You’ll also find useful information regarding Graduate Degrees, Course Descriptions, Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships and Audition Requirements.

The following list serves as a guide to choosing appropriate audition material for prospective graduate students. This list serves only as a suggestion, please feel free to contactProfessor Campbell if you have questions about appropriate literature. Auditionees are also required to send a video/DVD recording of a recent formal recital, a vita and repertoire list.

Audition material from each of the four (4) following areas is required:

Snare Drum

1. Any concert solo or etude by Delécluse, Masson, Aleo, Zivkovic, The Noble Snare collection, or the Nexus collection.
2. Two (2) standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
3. Sight Reading.

Mallet Keyboard

1. An advanced work or study to demonstrate multiple-mallet style such as works by, Abe, Aldridge, Deane, Druckman, Lansky, Reynolds, or Schwantner.
2. One standard orchestral excerpt of your choice (glockenspiel or xylophone).
3. Sight Reading (two mallets).

Timpani

1. An advanced work or study to demonstrate musicianship such as Eight Pieces for Four Timpani, Elliott Carter, Variations for Solo Kettledrums, Jan Williams, or Rhythm Gradation, Toshi Ichyanagi.
2. Two standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
3. Sight Reading and demonstrated ability to tune multiple drums from a single given pitch.

Multiple-percussion/World music

1. An advanced work to demonstrate musicianship such as music by Hamilton, Hollinden, Ishii, Kopetzki, Lang, or Zivkovic.
   
   or,
    
2. Demonstrate performance style on congas, tabla, steel drum, frame drums or other world percussion instruments.

ADDITIONAL INQUIRY

All questions pertaining to repertoire, auditions, or curriculum can be directed to:
James B. Campbell
Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor
Director of Percussion Studies
Voice: (859) 257-8187
E-mail: j.b.campbell@uky.edu