Brass and Percussion Audition Information
Click Here to Request a brass or percussion audition.
Once your form is received, you will be contacted to schedule your audition time.
For questions please contact:
Dr. Christopher Bianco, Brass and Percussion Area Coordinator
PAC 23; (360) 650-3404; Christopher.Bianco@wwu.edu
Out-of State students sending a recording please fill out and attach this form with your recording: Entrance Audition Form (pdf)
Acceptance into the Department of Music does not guarantee acceptance into the University. For more information on applying to WWU, visit WWU Admissions.
Audition Guidelines:
Students should use the below information to help them craft an audition that best shows their talents and abilities. Consultation with private instructor will also help students to prepare a quality audition. Students are NOT REQUIRED to play all of the repertoire below. These are suggested guidelines to help you prepare your audition.
Horn -- 2 or 3 etudes from “Method for French Horn” by Pottag, (ed. Hovey). Mozart “Concerto No. 3” or Saint-Saens “Romance.” Major & minor scales & arpeggios through 4 sharps & 4 flats (2 octaves).
Trumpet -- 1 or 2 etudes from “34 Studies” by Brandt (ed. Nagel). Haydn “Concerto” (1st & 2nd movements), or Vidal “Concertino” or Thome “Fantasy in Eb” or Corelli “Sonata VIII”, (ed. Fitzgerald). Major & minor scales & arpeggios through 4 sharps & 4 flats (2 octaves).
Tenor/Bass Trombone & Euphonium -- 2 or 3 studies from “Melodious Etudes” by Rochut, Book I. Studies 1-10 of the Blashevich Clef Studies. 5 selected studies from the Arban Method book I. Major & minor scales & arpeggios through 4 sharps & 4 flats (2 octaves).
Tuba -- Any 2 of the first four solos in “Solos for the Tuba Player” by Wekselblatt. First 10 studies from the “Studies for BBb Tuba” by Tyrell. Major & minor scales through 4 sharps & 4 flats (2 octaves).
Percussion -- On entering, percussion students should demonstrate proficiency in snare drum, timpani, and keyboard percussion, and have some experience and ability on drum set and accessory instruments (bass drum, cymbals, tambourine, etc.).
- Snare Drum -- The 40 Percussive Arts Society snare drum rudiments, a concert and a rudimental style etude or solo.
- Timpani -- Demonstrate the ability to tune various intervals and perform an etude or solo using four drums.
- Keyboard Percussion (Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone) -- Major and minor scales and arpeggios through 4 sharps and 4 flats (2 octaves), an etude or solo utilizing two and/or four mallet techniques.
- Drum Set (optional) -- Demonstrate knowledge of various contemporary styles (Jazz, Rock, Latin) and the ability to maintain a steady pulse.
