NAU Percussion Studio
The NAU Kitt School of Music faculty provide experience-based education, balancing performance and academics in a way that leads to successful careers and lifelong involvement in music. The school cultivates an environment where discovery, creativity, and personal and professional development can flourish. The NAU Kitt School of Music hosts a rich cultural life, valuing tradition, yet seeking innovation.
Why NAU?
- A medium sized school (approximately 400 music majors) fostering a strong work ethic; large enough to provide exceptional training and experiences; not a place to ‘hide’ in student numbers
- Freshmen face immediate immersion and opportunity for performance experience in ensembles – graduate students do not deprive undergraduates of opportunity
- An exceptional environment to study, create, and present in numerous disciplines of percussion performance within a variety of genres and collaborations – solo & chamber, orchestral, jazz, marching, contemporary, historic, world & cultural, improvisation and experimental
- Excellent leadership opportunities
- Principal positions in concert ensembles (Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Orchestra)
- Drum set chairs in jazz ensembles and combos
- Section/segment leadership positions in marching band drum line
- Solo performance opportunities: master classes, studio recitals, degree recitals, honor recitals, concerto competitions, special events and tours
- A moderate size program means comfortable surroundings, rich relationships with colleagues and faculty, and a familial atmosphere where true friendships are easily developed
- NAU School of Music boasts a strong support structure, close faculty contact, smaller class sizes
- Energetic, experienced ensemble conductors/directors who advance judiciously designed short and long-term musical and technical goals
- Well-equipped percussion practice facilities with in-house technological resources
- Opportunity to audition/perform in the per-service Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra percussion section
Please contact Director of Percussion Studies and Assistant Professor of Percussion Dr. Abby Fisher (Abigail.Fisher@nau.edu) for more information about percussion at NAU.
Auditions
Before you schedule your audition, you need to apply to NAU and apply to the School of Music. Please see the School of Music admission page for details about how to apply and schedule this audition.
How to prepare for your undergraduate audition:
Required Audition Areas
- Keyboard Percussion: Two solos on marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone. One selection should demonstrate 2-mallet proficiency while the other demonstrates 4-mallet ability using whichever grip / technique is most comfortable for the student.
- Snare Drum: A concert snare drum solo/etude is required. An additional solo in a rudimental style is optional.
- Prepare sight-reading skills on marimba and snare drum.
- Prepare all major scales (two octaves).
- Ask a lot of questions!
Choice Audition Areas (choose one or more)
- Timpani: An etude or solo for two, three, or four drums. Excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire would also be acceptable.
- Multiple Percussion: An etude/solo on any combination of percussion instruments.
- Drum Set: A prepared solo and/or improvisation in a variety of styles.
- World Percussion Instruments: A prepared solo and/or improvisation in an area of your choice.
How to prepare for your graduate audition:
Required Areas
Solo Keyboard
- Performance(s) of significant solo repertoire on the marimba and/or vibraphone, which must include at least one 4-mallet selection.
- Sight Reading on 2-mallet marimba.
Snare Drum
- A solo or etude by Jacques Delecluse, Joseph Tompkins, or equivalent.
- Sight Reading in concert style.
Solo Percussion (Multiple Percussion)
- Performance(s) of significant solo repertoire.
Choice Audition Areas (Choose 1 or more):
Timpani
- A solo solo or etude to demonstrate musical tone by Delecluse, Hochrainer, Carter, or equivalent.
- Ability to tune multiple drums from one given pitch.
World Percussion
- A prepared solo or improvisation on frame drums, congas, or other non-Western instrument.
Drumset
- A prepared solo, play-along, or improvisation in a variety of styles.
Various Orchestral Excerpts
- A variety of orchestral/band excerpts on keyboard (glockenspiel and/or xylophone), snare drum, timpani, and accessory instruments. Minimum 7 excerpts displaying as much variety as possible.
Important Notes
- An accompanist is neither required nor provided; candidates may bring an accompanist at their own discretion but should provide notification to Dr. Fisher.
- Candidates should choose repertoire in each area that best highlights their performance abilities and artistic interests.
- Students choosing to audition in the solo percussion or world percussion areas should communicate ahead of time via email to ensure that the appropriate instruments are available. All students are welcome to bring small personal instruments such as snare drums, tambourines, or specific items needed for solo percussion or world percussion repertoire.
- Repertoire requiring electronics of any kind is welcome, but should also be discussed/cleared with Dr. Fisher prior to auditioning.
- Playing on the bowls of the timpani will not be permitted.
Interview Requirements
- Following the performance audition, candidates will also take part in an interview with Dr. Fisher and should be prepared to formally discuss the repertoire chosen on the recital program and their goals for pursuing a MM degree.
About financial aid:
You will be automatically considered for a School of Music Scholarship on the basis of your audition.
Performance opportunities
Percussion Ensemble
An integral component of percussion studies at Northern Arizona University, the NAU Percussion Ensemble performs extensively on campus and throughout Arizona. The development of chamber music performance skills is at the core of the ensemble’s existence. The ensemble repertoire comprises a wide variety of musical and cultural styles, including standard and contemporary works, West African Ewe drumming, and Brazilian batucada. Membership of the ensemble is established primarily of percussion performance and education majors, but also may be open to select music minors and majors of diverse academic disciplines through audition/interview.
Performance opportunities
- Large ensembles: Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Collegiate Band
- Marching Band and Pep Band
- Opera/Pit Orchestra
- Jazz: Ensembles and Combos
- Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra
- NAU Percussion Society
Read more about large ensembles at:
Studio expectations
Dr. Abby Fisher supportively guides students through a concentrated, comprehensive percussion studies program. The course of study for percussion includes the investigation of numerous aspects of percussion performance: marimba and vibraphone, snare drum (concert and rudimental), timpani, drum set, multiple percussion, orchestral percussion, marching percussion, world percussion (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, among other cultural/world music studies). Further studies include the NAU Percussion Ensemble; Percussion Pedagogy and Literature (performance majors); and Percussion Techniques (a course sequence for music education pedagogy). Weekly percussion master classes provide opportunities for extended clinical percussion presentations and studio-related discussion, in addition to frequent student performance opportunities.
Resources
Equipment & access
7 marimbas (three are 5-octave instruments; two Marimba One instruments and Malletech)
3 vibraphones (including 3.5-octave 2013 Yamaha gold bar)
3 xylophones (including 4-octave Malletech Becker Soloist Model – wide-bar)
3 glockenspiels (including 3-octave Fall Creek “Round Top” model)
6 drum sets (w/side-by-side set-up in one room; a showcase DW set in jazz studies)
4 sets of timpani (including a professional set of 5 Clevelander timpani; 2012 set of 5 Yamaha)
3 concert bass drums (including a 2011 Pearl 36” x 20” Symphonic PBM)
Inventory of snare drums (Grover, Black Swamp, Pearl, Yamaha) and concert toms
Dedicated cymbal cabinet with an extensive and diverse inventory
Exceptional inventory of auxiliary and world percussion instruments
A percussion studio mallet “library” (available for checkout)
Technology
Studio student checkout: Zoom Q3HD high definition digital video recorder
Studio student checkout: Zoom Q3 digital video recorder
Studio student checkout: Zoom H2 digital audio recorder
Ongoing and progressive use of notation software programs
Music computer lab w/16 stations (each has Sibelius & Finale software and advanced keyboards)
Activity & interface experiences
NAU Percussion Society (a club recognized/supported by NAU student government)
The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (performance opportunities)
NAU Community Music and Dance Academy (teaching opportunities)
NAU Percussion Ensemble (performance, management, and arranging opportunities)