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The Furman Percussion Audition: Step-by-Step

Thank you for your interest in the Furman Percussion Program! Below you will find list of steps you should take when preparing for your audition for the Furman Music Department. If you have any questions regarding the audition process that are not answered below, feel free to email Dr.. Carmenates.

Go to the Furman Music Department’s website and follow the directions for applying to the university, registering for an audition date, and inquiring about music scholarships.

Select and prepare music that will best demonstrate your proficiency on the following instruments: snare drum, keyboards (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone), timpani, and drumset (optional). Below is a suggested list of repertoire.
Snare Drum
Concert - An etude from Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm, Jacques Delecluse’s Douze Etudes pour Caisse-Claire (12 Etudes for Snare Drum), or an appropriate solo from a state Solo & Ensemble list.
Rudimental - A published solo from Pro-Mark’s Ziggadabuzz, Edward Freytag’s Rudimental Cookbook, or an appropriate solo from a state Solo & Ensemble list.
Sight-Reading - You will be asked to sight-read a snare drum etude or a short two-mallet marimba piece.
Keyboard - Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone
Two-Mallet - An etude from Morris Goldenberg’s Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone, a xylophone rag by G.H. Green, or an appropriate solo from a state Solo & Ensemble list.
Four-Mallet - Any four-mallet solo that best represents your proficiency on marimba or vibraphone.
Sight-reading - You will be asked to sight read a short two-mallet marimba piece or a snare drum etude.
Timpani
Any published solo from a state Solo & Ensemble list or that your teacher recommends that best demonstrates your proficiency.
Tuning - You will be asked to tune timpani to a given pitch.
Drumset (optional)
You will be asked to demonstrate various styles on drumset (Rock, Latin, Swing, etc.)

At your audition, all instruments will be provided for you. View the Facilities page to see what instruments will be provided at the audition (all instruments from Dr. Carmenates’ office will be the instruments provided). Please bring your own sticks, mallets, and music. Accompanists are only provided by request.

During your audition, be prepared to stop in the middle of a piece as we may not need to hear the entire selection. Also, please feel free to use this time to ask any questions you may have about the music program

If you are attending an audition weekend, make sure you attend the performances, sessions, and tours scheduled for you, we want you to learn as much as you can about Furman while you are here! Most of all, feel free to talk to any current percussion students that are around the building. They are an invaluable resource for hearing what life is like at Furman and will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can!