Southwestern Musician
Tutti Question
November 2007

How do you audition (and rank) incoming beginning students who want to play percussion?
I use a questionnaire that includes these questions: Have you studied piano? Can you sing? Do you currently play a musical instrument? What is your academic grade average? What is your average conduct grade? Have you had office referrals? Next I look at their Selmer Music Aptitude Score and strongly consider students who have high scores, especially in rhythm. Finally, I give an oral rhythmic test where they play back simple rhythms with their hands.

Submitted by: Mike Myers