Percussion Newsletter

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Dear Percussionists –

Greetings, we hope everyone is having a great summer. We are very excited about this year’s Percussion Studio and are looking forward to a great year. Competition for this year’s Studio will be quite stiff, so we encourage you to prepare accordingly.

DRUMLINE AUDITIONS

Dorm check-in for Drumline is August 9rd, with meetings and auditions beginning on August 10th. The Band Office will send more information about camp dates and audition times when they are available. The audition process will begin with your individual audition and then continue on throughout camp. It usually takes a few days to get all the sections set and everyone in place. If you would like to participate in the Drumline, you must arrive in August ready to audition.

REQUIREMENTS

ALL MATERIAL MUST BE PLAYED WITH A METRONOME!

Those wishing to audition for the snare or tenor line must be prepared to perform:

• The snare or tenor drum to “Double Beat 2004”
• The snare or tenor drum to “Shuffle #3”
• The snare or tenor drum to “Uncommon Mind Control”
• Any of the warm-ups included in this newsletter
• Any of the standard 40 PAS rudiments
• Sight-reading will also be included

Those interested in auditioning for the bass line must be prepared to perform:

• The bass drum #2 part to Double Beat 2004
• The bass drum #2 part to part Shuffle #3
• The bass drum #2 part to “Uncommon Mind Control”
• Any of the warm-ups included in this newsletter
• Any of the standard 40 PAS rudiments
• Sight-reading will also be included

Those interested in auditioning for the cymbal line must be prepared to perform:

• The cymbal prepared piece (all stems down and unisons) - Double Beat 2004
• The cymbal #2 part (second space from the top, treble clef “C”) - Shuffle #3
• The cymbal #3 part (second space from the top, treble clef “C”) - “Uncommon Mind Control”
• Standard crashes at any dynamic levels
• Sight-reading will also be included

Those interested in auditioning for the front ensemble must be prepared to perform:

• The 2026 HFB Front Audition Etude – pick the instrument(s) you would like to audition for
• Any of the warm-ups included in this newsletter (all major keys)
• Sight-reading will also be included
• Drumset players must also play an improvised groove for any of the warm-ups
• Drumset players must also play styles including rock/funk, jazz, and Latin

All Drumline members are expected to attend all Drumline and Band Camp rehearsals – please plan accordingly now to be available in August (all day, every day – including evenings). A specific schedule will be given to you when you arrive. During the fall semester, extra Drumline rehearsals will be held during the week (exact day TBA) and Saturdays before games – i.e. don’t schedule anything on a game day. Additional section rehearsals will be scheduled once the sections are set.

Concert Percussion Auditions

Percussion auditions are required for all music majors, music minors, and anyone wishing to be considered for participation in any TCU ensemble (percussion ensembles, steel bands, concert bands, orchestra, jazz ensembles, etc.).

The results of these auditions, along with each student’s past history (attendance, punctuality, attitude, professionalism, performance in auditions/ensembles/lessons/juries/barriers/etc.), will assist the faculty with placing students in various TCU ensembles.

Auditions will take place Thursday August 15th through Saturday August 16th.

Requirements:

1. The concert snare drum prepared piece
2. The rudimental snare drum prepared piece
3. The 4-mallet keyboard percussion prepared piece
4. The timpani prepared piece
5. The cymbal prepared piece
6. Drumset styles demonstration:
   • Jazz (medium and up-tempo swing)
   • Rock / funk
   • Latin (Bossa Nova, Samba, Songo, Mambo, etc.)
7. The swing drumset prepared piece (Rompin’ at the Reno)
8. Sight reading on snare drum
9. Sight reading on keyboard percussion

Drumset Auditions for Jazz Ensembles, Steel Bands, etc.

Those wishing to be considered for membership in the TCU Jazz Ensembles, or other ensembles utilizing drumset (Steel Bands, etc.), must complete the following requirements. These can be completed at the same time as the above auditions, or we may schedule a separate time during the week of August 14th.

Requirements:

1. Styles demonstration:
   • Jazz (medium and up tempo swing)
   • Rock / funk
   • Latin (Bossa Nova, Samba, Songo, Mambo, etc.)
2. Both drumset prepared pieces (Rompin’ at the Reno & There’s the Rub)
3. Sight reading on drumset
4. Possible additional auditions will be held during the first week of school with a live band

Other

All ensembles will begin rehearsing during the first week of school.

All percussionists must supply their own sticks and/or mallets for the year, be sure to show up with something to play with.

We are looking forward to working with each and every one of you. Please email percussion@tcu.edu if you have any questions.

Have a fun and relaxing summer - and keep practicing!