Band of the United States Air Force Reserve
Percussion Audition Requirements

SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS: Perform from memory, the following scales and arpeggios in all keys, two octaves whenever possible, ascending and descending, as fast as possible with clarity

• Major
• Minor, all forms
• Chromatic, beginning on any note

RUDIMENTS: (Snare Drum) Perform from memory the standard 26 rudiments, slow (open) to fast (closed) to slow (open) with evenness and clarity. Be prepared to demonstrate the long roll with various dynamic ranges.

SOLOS/ETUDES: Perform a solo of your choice which displays your ability at the highest professional level on all the following instruments: snare drum, timpani, and marimba or xylophone.

Suggested sources:

• Snare drum: works by Pratt or Wilcoxon (etudes)
• Mallet: Goldenburg mallet book
• Breuer or George Hamilton Green xylophone solo
• One movement of a solo such as the Creston Concertino
• Timpani: Firth, The Solo Timpanist
• Beck, Sonata for Timpani
• One of the Carter Etudes, e.g., Canaries, March, Recititive
• Works of comparable difficulty

Demonstrate ability to tune timpani.

DRUM SET: Be prepared to demonstrate various styles with a combo or big band. Demonstrate ability to read parts or a lead sheet and play fills and solos appropriate to the musical style being performed.

SIGHT-READING: Sight-reading of various styles will be required on snare drum, mallets, timpani, and drum set.

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