Percussion Studio Program

Auditions

There are three "Music at Mizzou" (scholarship audition) dates available each year on campus – one in November or December (the Friday before All-state auditions), one in February near the President’s Day holiday, and one in March on a Saturday before spring break.

  • Step 1
    Register for an audition at the School of Music website: http://music.missouri.edu/financialaid/musicdays.html. Please choose the earliest audition date you are available. If you are unavailable to audition on any of the selected dates, check the appropriate box on the registration form and you will receive more information about auditioning on an alternate date
  • Step 2
    Apply to the university if you have not done so already. You can apply online at http://admissions.missouri.edu.
  • Step 3
    Prepare material. Quality as well as depth (multiple instruments) is desired for a music scholarship in percussion. The larger scholarships will be given to students who display a well-rounded concept of percussion in addition to a specialty area (drumset, four-mallet marimba, rudimental snare, etc.)

    For the undergraduate student:
    It is recommended that you perform a short solo or etude on snare drum*, xylophone/marimba, and timpani. If you would like to be considered for a jazz scholarship, you should be prepared to demonstrate several styles on drumset as well. The All-state audition material works well for an audition. Also, any piece off the A list of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Prescribed Music List works well for an audition.

    *note to Marching Band prospects – Music Scholarships require participation in a large ensemble each semester. During the spring semester when Marching Mizzou does not meet, you will need to audition for a concert ensemble at the beginning of the semester in order to continue receiving your scholarship. Therefore, it is beneficial to demonstrate your talents on the concert instruments at your scholarship audition as well as on a rudimental drum.

    For the graduate student:
    It is recommended that you perform a Cirone or Delecluse snare drum etude, a two-mallet solo, a four-mallet solo, and a timpani solo. These pieces may be from your last undergraduate recital.
  • Step 4 - Audition Day
    The day begins with on-campus registration between 7:45 and 8:30 am, followed by a Welcome Meeting in the Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building on campus. Auditions will take place shortly after this meeting in Loeb Hall which is about four blocks away. You may sign up for a time as soon as you arrive, but if you happen to miss the opening meeting, you can still audition by meeting Dr. Gaines in Loeb Hall. We are very flexible the morning of auditions and students usually just volunteer to play when they are ready. Auditions are typically over by 11:00. Events that follow the audition include a lunch, campus tours, parent meetings, degree focus meetings, etc.
  • Step 5- Award Letter
    Scholarship recommendations are made shortly after the audition day and award letters are typically sent out within two weeks of your audition. The March award letters may take a little longer.
  • Step 6- Acceptance Letter
    The Award letter usually contains different options for your consideration and an acceptance form. Once you have reached a decision, the acceptance form should be completed and sent back to the School of Music Office as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my own equipment?
You do not need to bring any large instruments. The university has a full complement of percussion equipment. If you prefer to play your own snare drum, you may bring it. You will need to bring your sticks, mallets, and music.

Do I need to audition for an ensemble at the beginning of the semester?
Every ensemble holds auditions at various times throughout the year. In order to maintain your scholarship, participation in certain ensembles is required and you should keep abreast on when auditions for the ensembles are held. Every percussionist on scholarship needs to audition for ensembles.

Can I just be in Marching Mizzou?
If you receive a music scholarship, you are required to play in an ensemble each semester. Marching Mizzou only meets during the Fall semester so in order to maintain your scholarship, you would need to participate in auditions at the beginning of the spring semester to be placed in an ensemble.

How do I audition for the basketball band?
Mini-Mizzou auditions take place in October and are only offered to students that have participated in Marching Mizzou in the fall. Mini-Mizzou does not count as an ensemble that fulfills the scholarship requirement.

Can I send in a recording in lieu of an audition?
A campus visit is preferred, however, if you are not able to come to campus, a CD or DVD will be accepted as a replacement.

What ensembles fulfill the instrumental scholarship requirement?
Marching Mizzou, Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), Symphonic Band, University Philharmonic, Jazz Ensemble 1