Percussion Area

Complete list of equipment in the newly-built Percussion Suite at the UNO School of Music.

How to Apply

Percussion at UNO

Recent achievements by graduates of the program include: appearing as a concerto soloist with the Mostly Modern Festival Orchestra (2025); presenting at the College Music Society Eastern Conference (2026); attending Cortona Sessions in Amsterdam (2026); performing with the Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux Falls, and Sioux City Symphonies; winning the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra principal percussion position (2026); and teaching as adjunct instructors at UNO, Augustana, Dordt, and Itawamba Community College.

Audition Requirements

Undergraduate Degrees

Classical Snare

1. a) Standard rudiments
   b) An etude or piece from Cirone "Portraits in Rhythm" or the Mitchell Peters books is appropriate
2. Mallets:
   a) All major scales
   b) Solo or etude demonstrating skill with two mallets
   c) Solo or etude demonstrating skill with four mallets (if possible)
3. Timpani:
   a) Demonstrate tuning process/procedure for timpani
   b) Etude from Goodman or Vic Firth books is appropriate
4. Drum set:
   a) Demonstrate knowledge of various styles

Three out of the four above skills is preferred for the audition. However, all four is even better for scholarship consideration. There will also be sight-reading on drum set, mallets, and snare drum.

Students interested in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education must also submit a short 2-3 minute video. Please watch the following video before you begin: https://youtu.be/sCx-fw8gPqw. The questions and prompts are also listed in written form below.

When completed, please email to Adam Hilt: ahilt@unomaha.edu.

1. Introduce yourself , tell us your primary instrument ,and any additional instruments you play. Feel free to tell us any additional information that you would want us to know (e.g., you teach piano; work with youth; enjoy learning languages).
2. Why are you interested in music education?
3. Name one teacher you respect and why.
4. Sing a nursery rhyme/children’s song without accompaniment (one verse only).

For percussionists interested in jazz, see additional requirements under "Jazz Drum Set." Contact Dr. Hannah Weaver with questions regarding drum set auditions (hannahweaver@unomaha.edu).

M.M. Music Performance (Graduate)

1. Classical Snare:
   a) An etude from Delecluse “Douze Etudes,” Tompkins “Nine French-American Rudimental Solos,” or similar
2. Multi-percussion:
   a) Kopetzki “Canned Heat,” Kitazume “Side by Side,” Volans “Asanga,” or similar
3. Timpani Solo
   a) Hochrainer etude, Delecluse “Vingt Etudes” or similar
4. Two-mallet solo:
   a) Movement of Bach violin sonata/partita or cello suite, George Hamilton Green rag, or similar
5. Four-mallet solo:
   a) Druckman “Reflections on the Nature of Water,” Stout “Astral Dance,” Miki “Time for Marimba,” Maslanka “Variations on Lost Love,” or similar
6. One of the following categories:
   a) Orchestral excerpts (2 on snare, 2 on mallets, 2 on timpani)
   b) Drumset (demonstrate 4 styles)
   c) World music (demonstrate 2 or more instruments)

For percussionists interested in jazz, see additional requirements under "Jazz Drum Set." Contact Dr. Hannah Weaver with questions regarding drum set auditions (hannahweaver@unomaha.edu).

Follow UNO Percussion on Instagram and YouTube!

Questions?

Contact Dr. Hannah Weaver at hannahweaver@unomaha.edu

Strauss 4th Floor Percussion Facilities