West Chester University Marching Band

Battery Percussion Audition Information

Thank you for your interest in the percussion section of the West Chester University Golden
Rams Marching Band! We have many talented and dedicated members who have established a
program defined by a commitment to excellence. Please see below for important instructions
regarding the audition process.

ALL BATTERY: (Snare, Tenor, Bass, and Cymbals)

• E-mail Darren Hazlett (darren.hazlett@gmail.com) with your contact information
(address, phone #, e-mail). In addition, please give a brief explanation of your marching
percussion experience.
• Submit a video --YouTube (or similar site) or DVD -- playing the exercises listed below
by June 1, 2020. Contact me via e-mail if you require a shipping address for the
DVD.
• Exercises should be memorized and performed to an audible metronome.

Snare/Tenor/Bass Drum:

o Legatto Exercise of Your Choice (8 on a hand, 8-8-16, etc) @ 120, 152, 184 bpm

o Stroke Types (Snare Part) @ 120, 160 bpm

o Sanford Shuffle @ 144, 168 bpm (dotted quarter)

o WCU Rolls “Touch” @140, 160 bpm

o WCU Paradiddles Exercise @152

o Brief solo or music excerpt of your choice (optional)

o Demonstrate the following rudiments: Flam, Flam Tap, Flam Accent, Single Flammed
Mill, Flam Paradiddle, Swiss Triplet, Flam Drag

*Quads: Play your part as notated.

**Bass Drums: Play stroke type unison part as well as the split part.

Cymbals:

o Demonstrate Standard Crash, Crash Choke, Orchestral Crash, Slide Choke, and other
techniques as desired.

It is extremely important to prepare and demonstrate these exercises to the best of your ability as
the video will be used in conjunction with your live audition to appropriately place you in the
ensemble. Your preparation will go a long way towards our progress at the mini-camps and
beyond.