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.)

Along with the application to the UK School of Music, all graduate student applicants for percussion must submit a Pre-audition Screening Recording to the Director of Percussion Studies. Audition repertoire is listed below. This recording must be postmarked no later than December 1 of the year prior to entrance.  All applicants should include a copy of their audition repertoire with the screening DVD recording (NTSC format). The screening materials should be clearly labeled and will not be returned. Recordings will be reviewed and a limited number of applicants will be invited to campus for a live audition/interview.  Applicants not invited to a campus for an audition/interview will be notified that they have not been admitted for graduate study.

Graduate Music Performance applicants who have been invited to campus for an audition/interview 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.

There are a limited number of Percussion Teaching Assistantship opportunities. Although they are not available every year, these positions are highly competitive and will only be awarded to select candidates who have successfully completed the audition process, required placement exams, and have been accepted by the Graduate School and the School of Music Graduate Committee.

The following lists serve as a guide to choosing appropriate audition material for prospective graduate students. Please feel free to contact Professor Campbell if you have questions about appropriate literature.

Pre-audition screening material to be submitted on DVD must include:

Snare Drum

• Any etude from Douze Etudes by Delécluse.
• Two (2) standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.

Mallet Keyboard

• A contemporary work or study to demonstrate multiple-mallet style such as works by, Abe, Aldridge, Deane, Druckman, Lansky, Reynolds, Schwantner, or the equivalent.
• One standard orchestral excerpt of your choice (glockenspiel or xylophone).

Timpani

• A solo or etude to demonstrate musicianship such as those by Carter, Hochrainer, or the equivalent.

Multiple-percussion

• A solo or etude to demonstrate musicianship such as music by Udow, Campbell/Hill, Hamilton, Hollinden, Ishii, Kopetzki, Lang, Xenakis, or Zivkovic, or the equivalent.

Drumset (optional)

• A performance of an entire selection with a big band or combo in any style.

Those applicants invited to a live campus audition must be prepared to present the following material:

Snare Drum

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

Mallet Keyboard

• A contemporary work or study to demonstrate multiple-mallet style such as works by, Abe, Aldridge, Deane, Druckman, Lansky, Reynolds, Schwantner, or the equivalent.
• Demonstration of two-mallet playing with a movement from Sonatas & Partitas for Violin or Six Suites for Cello by J.S. Bach.
• Two (2) standard orchestral excerpts of your choice (glockenspiel or xylophone).
• Sight Reading (two mallets).

Timpani

• 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, an etude by Richard Hochrainer, or the equivalent.
• Two standard orchestral excerpts of your choice.
• Sight Reading and demonstrated ability to tune multiple drums from a single given pitch.

Multiple-percussion/World music

• A solo or etude to demonstrate musicianship such as music by Udow, Campbell/Hill, Hamilton, Hollinden, Ishii, Kopetzki, Lang, Xenakis, or Zivkovic, or the equivalent (The pre-audition screening DVD will be accepted in lieu of live performance).

or,

• Live demonstration of 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