Percussion Audition Requirements
Auditions for entry in September 2025
Warm-up
You will be allocated a room in the Percussion Suite in which to warm up for a period of 20 to 30 minutes before your audition.
Undergraduate Audition Requirements for Percussion Applicants
Audition
You will be expected to perform a piece chosen from the repertoire below on each of the instruments listed. Should you wish to perform something different to this list, please contact the Head of Department (Toby Kearney) prior to your audition to confirm whether your choice is suitable.
Snare Drum
- Jacques Delécluse - Douze Etudes pour Caisse-Claire
- Bent Lylloff Etude for Snare Drum - Arhus Etude no. 9
- ABRSM Grade 8 piece (new or old syllabus
Tuned Percussion
- 2 or 4 mallet piece of your choice of at least Grade 8 level
Timpani
- Nick Woud - Symphonic Studies for Timpani No 3, 22 or 25
- Hans-Jorg Bayer - Etude No. 5
Drum Kit (with playalong backing)
- David Garibaldi - The Code Of Funk
- John Riley - School days or October
- Troy Miller - Traveller
- Gordon Goodwin - Big Phat Big Band
If you don’t play drum kit, please prepare an additional contrasting piece on either snare drum, tuned or timpani.
During the audition we may ask you for:
- Sight reading - on snare drum or tuned percussion
- Rhythm and aural tests
Interview
The interview is a chance for you to have an informal conversation with us about your musical influences and aspirations. It’s an opportunity for us to ask you questions about your experiences, to find out what you can bring to the department and for you to ask any questions you have about the course.
If your application is submitted by video then you will be invited to a virtual interview.
Please visit our Audition Advice page to help you prepare for your virtual audition and interview.
Postgraduate Audition Requirements for Percussion Applicants
Audition
You are expected to present a varied programme of approximately 30-40 minutes. This may include solo repertoire, orchestral excerpts and a collection of drum kit/world/rhythm percussion tracks. Please get in touch with the Head of Percussion (Toby Kearney) prior to your audition to discuss your ideas and the suitability of your programme. Below are two examples of suitable audition programmes:
Example A
Snare Drum
- Delecluse Study No. 9
- Joseph Tompkins Study No. 1
- Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
- Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol
- Williams Star Wars
Xylophone
- Stravinsky Firebird
- Copland Appalachian Spring
- Gershwin Porgy & Bess
Timpani
- Tchaikovsky Symphony No 5
- Britten Storm from Sea Interludes
- A Nick Woud Study
Marimba
- Keiko Abe Variations on Japanese Children's Songs
Vibraphone:
- Joe Locke Highland
Example B
Drum Kit (with audio playalong)
- Paich (Toto) Rosanna
- Wonder Superstition
- Wilson (Porcupine Tree) Stars Die
Congas, Timbales, Cajon
- Puente Oye Como Va
- Cruz Zamba Malato
Marimba
- Bach Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1
- Piazolla/Cheung Verano Porteno
Vibraphone
- Rackipov Open Attic Window
Snare Drum
- Gerassimez Asventuras
During the audition we may ask you for:
- Sight reading - on snare drum or tuned
- Rhythm and aural tests
Interview
The interview is a chance for you to have an informal conversation with us about your musical influences and aspirations. It’s an opportunity for us to ask you questions about your experiences, to find out what you can bring to the department and for you to ask any questions you have about the course.
If your application is submitted by video then you will be invited to a virtual interview.
Please visit our Audition Advice page to help you prepare for your virtual audition and interview.