Orchestral Percussion and Drum Kit / Timpani (Postgraduate level programmes)

The audition will last for 30 minutes. The following table provides detailed information about the audition process.

PRIOR TO THE AUDITION	Percussion and Drum kit applicants must inform the faculty of the name of the work they will be presenting at least two weeks before the date of the audition. Percussion and Timpani applicants – suggested repertoire for Timpani study: Pflichtstuck Op-5 by Hans-Jorg Bayer. Beethoven No.5 transition into 4th movement (3rd movement letter C bar324 to 4th movement 5th bar of letter B bar435). Excerpt to be played along with a recording, applicants can bring their own recording or one will be provided.
DURING THE AUDITION	Percussion & Drum Kit Orchestral Percussion – One xylophone study. – One side drum study. – General rudiments will be heard and sight-reading may be given. Drum Kit – One piece with or without backing track. – Applicants will also be asked to imitate simple rhythmic figures and may be asked to improvise. Percussion & Timpani Orchestral Percussion – One xylophone study. – One side drum study. – General rudiments will be heard and sight-reading may be given. Timpani – No more than one minute will be allowed for each change of tuning during the audition. – The applicant’s knowledge of intervals will be examined.
DURING THE AUDITION DAY	All Masters applicants will be required to take a 30-minute written test, to include a critical commentary on a piece of prose. Please note past papers are not available. Alongside this MA and MMus 1 Year Intensive applicants are also required to bring with them to the auditions a recent (within the last 12 months) piece of academic writing (2,000-5,000 words) with appropriate referencing on any music or music-related topic.

PRIOR TO THE AUDITION

Percussion and Drum kit applicants must inform the faculty of the name of the work they will be presenting at least two weeks before the date of the audition.

Percussion and Timpani applicants – suggested repertoire for Timpani study: Pflichtstuck Op-5 by Hans-Jorg Bayer.

Beethoven No.5 transition into 4th movement (3rd movement letter C bar324 to 4th movement 5th bar of letter B bar435). Excerpt to be played along with a recording, applicants can bring their own recording or one will be provided.

DURING THE AUDITION

Percussion & Drum Kit

Orchestral Percussion
– One xylophone study.
– One side drum study.
– General rudiments will be heard and sight-reading may be given.

Drum Kit
– One piece with or without backing track.
– Applicants will also be asked to imitate simple rhythmic figures and may be asked to improvise.

Percussion & Timpani

Orchestral Percussion
– One xylophone study.
– One side drum study.
– General rudiments will be heard and sight-reading may be given.

Timpani
– No more than one minute will be allowed for each change of tuning during the audition.
– The applicant’s knowledge of intervals will be examined.

DURING THE AUDITION DAY

All Masters applicants will be required to take a 30-minute written test, to include a critical commentary on a piece of prose. Please note past papers are not available. Alongside this MA and MMus 1 Year Intensive applicants are also required to bring with them to the auditions a recent (within the last 12 months) piece of academic writing (2,000-5,000 words) with appropriate referencing on any music or music-related topic.