When seeking entrance to the College of Music, you will be asked to sign-up for one of our three live audition dates held in the spring semester on the UNT campus.  Taped auditions are accepted, but not preferred. To be a music major you must pass an audition.

On campus auditions dates for 2008 are:
January 26, 2008
February 9, 2008
February 29, 2008 (graduate only for percussion, piano, voice & strings)
March 1,2008

To be admitted to the College of Music students must meet all general requirements for admission to the University of North Texas.  For information on applying to the university see the UNT Home page.  Next you need to apply to the College of Music.  For information and application forms see the C.O.M. Web page.

Percussion Audition Information - Download

Undergraduate Percussion - All Music Degrees Except Jazz Studies:

Final acceptance as a music major with a percussion emphasis will be determined by an audition consisting of prepared solos in mallets, timpani and snare drum. Students will sight read on snare drum and marimba at the audition and play scales on keyboard.

Drum set is now optional during the audition process for undergraduates non-jazz degrees. If you choose to participate you will be asked to play various styles (i.e., jazz, Latin, funk, etc.) and to sight read. The percussion area will e-mail you after you request an audition date to see if you want to participate in the drum set audition.

Undergraduate and Graduate Percussion - Jazz Studies Degree:

All applicants for Jazz Studies degrees must perform the following for an audition:  Performance of styles and sight reading on drum set;  a snare drum solo/etude and sight reading;  a marimba or vibraphone solo (can be a jazz or classical selection), sight reading and scales. An additional DVD or VHS tape of a performance with a jazz combo or big band is suggested. 

Suggested Repertoire for Undergraduates:
The following selections are suggestions only.   Undergraduate and graduate applicants should choose audition music that best demonstrates their musical background and potential.

    Snare Drum:

• Portraits in Rhythm by Anthony Cirone, published by Belwin.
• Solo Snare Drummer by Vic Firth, published by Fischer.
• Rudiments in Rhythm by Jim Campbell, published by Meredith Music.

• Modern School for Marimba/Xylophone by Morris Goldenberg, published by Chappell.
• Any published marimba/vibraphone solo.

• The Solo Timpanist by Vic Firth, published by Fischer.
• Any published timpani solo.

• A Non Jazz Studies applicant should be able to perform a variety of different musical styles (i.e., jazz, funk, Latin, etc.)
• A Jazz Studies applicant should demonstrate skill in rhythmic improvisation in swing/be-bop, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian, and funk styles over Blues and AABA tune forms.  In addition, jazz big band experience should be demonstrated.  The applicant will be asked to sight read a big band part in the audition.

A personal audition/interview is preferred, but a 20-30 minute VHS video tape or DVD may be submitted. Audio only recordings will not be accepted. Taped auditions for applied percussion (performance) and jazz studies are for provisional acceptance only. If accepted provisionally, you will still have to perform a second audition, including sight reading at the close of your first semester of study at UNT for final acceptance into our program.

For your taped audition choose a solo of appropriate level or one etude from each of the following areas: snare, mallets and timpani (timpani should not be included if applying for Jazz Studies acceptance). For mallets you should also include 3 major and 3 minor scales and arpeggios.  Drum set is optional for undergraduate non-jazz degrees and should include a variety of style performances (i.e., jazz. Latin, funk, etc.).  Jazz Studies applicants should include a drum set performance with a jazz combo or big band.   CDs of performances may also be submitted in addition to the video taped portion of the audition.  Do not include sight reading on your taped audition.

Tapes must be received by March 1st for scholarship consideration. If you do not wish to be considered for a scholarship, tapes must be received before the first Monday in April.

Scholarships:

For scholarship consideration it is recommended that you audition in person.  If this is not possible, send a high quality video recording including the information listed above under "Taped Auditions".
Percussion scholarships begin at $1,000 per year and include an out-of state tuition waiver.

Audition Requirements for Graduate Students in Percussion Performance:

A personal audition/interview is preferred, but a 50 minute video tape may be submitted for provisional acceptance. If a tape is sent to the College of Music Graduate office with an application for an assistantship, the applicant should personally notify Mr. Ford. Tapes should include solos, etudes, accompanied or unaccompanied pieces, and/or chamber music.

Students auditioning for graduate study in person, will be expected to sight read and perform the following solos:

• A major mallet work of sufficient length and difficulty which demonstrates 2 and 4 mallet ability, suitable for applied music recitals (Senior, Masters.)
• A snare drum etude demonstrating adequate proficiency.
• A timpani solo (including tuning) demonstrating adequate proficiency.
• Perform a variety of styles on drum set.

Graduate Assistantships:

Graduate Assistantships are available to outstanding applicants interested in pursuing an advanced degree in percussion performance and pedagogy. Applicants are reviewed for assistantship consideration after they have been accepted into the College of Music.  The percussion faculty includes six to seven teaching assistants. Each TA is responsible for one or more of the following: private instruction (mallets, snare), a percussion methods class for music education majors, and a percussion ensemble. Each assistant receives an out-of-state tuition waiver and approximately $750 monthly compensation for a 10-12 hour teaching load.

Ensemble Placement Auditions:

Auditions for lab bands, combos, orchestras, wind symphony, campus bands, marching and pep bands, percussion ensembles, and other groups take place during or after registration week. Questions about other university groups and audition materials should be directed to those departments.