Audition Information

The Montana State University Percussion Audition: Step-by-Step

Thank you for your interest in the Montana State University Percussion Program! Below you will find a list of steps you should take when preparing for your audition for the MSU Music Department. If you have any questions regarding the audition processes that are not answered below, feel free to email Professor Stephen Versaevel.

1. Go to the Montana State University Music Department’s website and follow the directions for applying to the university, registering for an audition date, and inquiring about music scholarships.

2. Select and prepare music that will demonstrate your proficiency on at least two of the following instruments: snare drum (concert and/or rudimental), keyboards (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone), timpani, and drumset. Below is a suggested list of repertoire.

   1. Snare Drum (concert and/or rudimental)

      1. Concert – An etude from Mitchell Peter’s Intermediate Snare Drum Studies, or Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm

      2. Rudimental – A solo from Lalo Davila’s Contemporary Rudimental Studies and Solos, Edward Freytag’s Rudimental Cookbook, or an appropriate published solo

   2. Keyboard (two and/or four mallet) – Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone

      1. Two-Mallet – An etude from Morris Goldenberg’s Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone, Beth Gottlieb’s Masterworks for Mallets, or an appropriate solo

      2. Four-Mallet – Any four-mallet solo that best represents your proficiency on marimba or vibraphone

   3. Timpani

      1. Any published solo that best demonstrates your proficiency

   4. Drumset

      1. You will be asked to demonstrate various styles on drumset (Rock, Latin, Swing, etc.)

3. Please dress appropriately for your audition.

4. At your audition, all instruments will be provided for you, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Please bring your own sticks, mallets, and music (original and copies for the jury). Accompanists are only provided by request.

5. During your audition, be prepared to stop in the middle of the piece as we may not need to hear the entire selection. Also, please feel free to use this time at the end of the audition to ask any questions you may have about the music program.

6. If you are attending an audition weekend, make sure you attend any performances, sessions, classes, and tours scheduled for you, we want you to learn as much as you can about Montana State University while you are here. Most of all, feel free to talk to any current percussion students that are around the building. They are an invaluable resource for hearing what life is like at MSU and will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can!