All-Virginia Percussion Audition Procedure

The following information is for percussionists auditioning for All-Virginia Band & Orchestra. This is in addition to (not in place of) the information for all students auditioning for All-Virginia Band & Orchestra.

All percussionists will audition on Snare/Multiple Percussion, Timpani, and Mallets. The requirements are posted at http://www.vboda.org under All-Virginia Auditions

You will rotate through a total of four rooms for the audition process as described below.

Students may not speak during the audition.  Any questions by the student must take place between the student and the guide outside of the audition room.  Students are subject to disqualification for speaking during the audition.

Room #1 – Snare Rudiments, Rolls & Sight-reading

• A snare drum will be provided (you may use your own snare drum)  Sticks & mallets will not be provided
• Set up quickly!  You will have 30 seconds to set up and be prepared to play.
• You will be asked to play the long roll then the concert roll
  • Long Roll - rudiment #1 (from the Standard 26 Rudiments )
  • Concert Roll (closed or "buzz"), sustained sound from pp--ff--pp

• You will be asked to play two rudiments (open to closed to open.)
• After completing the second rudiment, you will turn the sight-reading over and have thirty seconds to study it.
• After the thirty seconds time limit, you will be asked to play the sight-reading
• After completing the sight-reading, quickly gather your personal items & proceed to the next room

Room #2 – Mallets Scales and Sight-reading

• A standard three and one-half octave (F to C) xylophone will be provided
• You will need to supply appropriate mallets (hard rubber, string wound, etc. – NOT hard plastic or metal)

• You will be given a tempo (quarter = 100) from a metronome and asked to play one major scale
• The following rhythm will be used for all octaves:
• This process will be repeated for a second major scale
• You will then be given the tempo (quarter = 120) and asked to play the chromatic scale.
• After completing the chromatic scale, you will be given thirty seconds to study the sight-reading
• After the thirty-second time limit, you will be asked to play the sight-reading
• After playing the sight-reading selection, you will proceed to the next room

Room #3 – Timpani Sight-reading

• A set of four timpani will be provided - you will need your own timpani mallets
• The following pitch sources may be used for tuning: a pitch pipe, tuning fork or mallet instrument.

• You will have forty-five seconds to study the sight-reading and tune the timpani to the appropriate pitches.
• After the time limit, you will be asked to play the pitches from lowest to highest
• After playing the pitches, you will be asked to play the sight-reading
• After playing the sight-reading, you will proceed to the next room

Room #4 – Percussion Prepared Selection

• The following items will be provided:

·         A standard three and one-half octave (F to C) xylophone

·         A set of 4 timpani, which will already be tuned to the correct pitches.

·         A snare drum & trap table (or you may use your own snare drum)

• You must provide your own sticks, mallets and accessory percussion items.
• You will have no more than 30 seconds to set up for your prepared performance.
• After completing the prepared selection, gather your personal items and you have completed your audition.