M.M. Percussion

Important Dates

For priority consideration for Graduate Assistantships and/or Fellowships, two deadlines must be met:

December 15, 2023

Completion of graduate applications for all degree programs/specializations

(The priority consideration deadline for Summer MM-Music Education fellowships is May 1, 2023)

 January 27, 2024

Graduate audition day and deadline for completion of all *required auditions

(*Conducting auditions must be completed by January 31, 2024) 

Application Checklist - Specific Requirements

Begin by applying online at http://go.unl.edu/gradapp.

  1. Create an account.
  2. Complete your application.
  • You will be asked to upload scanned copies of your transcripts showing all postsecondary coursework completed, including all studies for which credit was granted (e.g. summer institutes such as Aspen or Interlochen). Further information can be found at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/admissions/requirements#transcripts. We require: Undergraduate GPA = 2.75/4.00 scale.
  • Students whose native language is not English or who have not previously earned a degree from an institution at which English is the official medium of instruction must enter their TOEFL or IELTS score and upload a copy of their score report. Official scores should be sent directly to UNL. Further information can be found at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/international/english. We require: TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5 overall band score.
  • You will need to provide contact information, including an email address, for each person from whom you wish a reference. For each recommender, click the Submit Recommendation Request button to send a letter request to your reference writer. A minimum of three letters of recommendation is required; four recommendation letters are recommended.

3. Submit your application and pay the application fee of $50 ($25 if you are currently an active student at UNL). After you’ve clicked “Submit,” validated your information, and paid the application fee, you’ll receive a confirmation email indicating that the application was successfully submitted, and providing you with a link to submit information regarding your audition video and graduate assistant preferences.

4. Prepare the required “Prepared Creative /Scholarly Materials Requirements” (see below).

Prepared Creative/Scholarly Materials Requirements: To assist candidates in achieving success in the required audition, the following requirements have been set by the area.  Please refer to the list below in knowing what to prepare for the audition.

PERCUSSION

 

Keyboard Percussion:

  1. A substantial four-mallet marimba solo or two shorter contrasting works for marimba.
  2. 2-3 orchestral excerpts for xylophone, bells, or vibraphone.
  3. Sight-reading.

Snare Drum:

  1. A concert/orchestral solo or etude.
  2. Demonstration of PAS 40 essential rudiments.
  3. 2-3 orchestral excerpts.
  4. Sight-reading.

Drumset:

  1. Demonstrate several musical styles (funk/rock, swing, samba, jazz waltz, et. al) with appropriate fills.
  2. Solo or “trade fours” in several different styles.

Timpani:

  1. A solo for four or five drums.
  2. Orchestral excerpts (optional).

World Percussion/other specialties

  1. Optional but encouraged based on applicant’s strengths.

Auditions will also include a short interview with the UNL Percussion Faculty.