1. Complete Graduate School and assistantship applications - available online. Acceptance to the graduate school constitutes eligibility for a percussion audition. Deadline for percussion audition and application is March 15.
Graduate Assistantships - Two types of assistantships are typically available for percussionists and both include a waiver of tuition, out-of-state fees, and a $7,500 annual stipend. Contracts are renewable and are typically awarded for two years. To be eligible for the percussion TA or GA positions, you must be enrolled in the Master of Music in Percussion Performance or the Master of Music in Jazz Studies degrees and possess a 3.0 minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA. In addition, other assistantship are available including; history, theory, jazz studies, and conducting.
Percussion Teaching Assistant (TA) - Duties chosen from: teach applied lessons to majors and minors, coach Percussion Ensemble, teach Percussion Methods course, teach group lessons, assist faculty with PE program preparation, drumline instructor/arranger. Maximum load is 12 hours per week. If you are applying for the Teaching Assistant position, you will be expected to teach a private lesson and conduct a percussion ensemble rehearsal.
Percussion Graduate Assistantship (GA) - Assist with studio logistics, instrument maintenance, percussion library, etc. Maximum load is 20 hours per week.
2. General info - contact Dr. Stephen Ausmann, coordinator of the Music Graduate Studies Program <swausmann@ysu.edu> phone 330.941.1835
3. Schedule Audition/Interview directly with Glenn Schaft. Auditions must occur by March 15. On-campus audition is preferred; DVD audition and telephone interview will be conducted only in unusual situations. Plan to spend the entire day on campus; 9am-5pm.
•Résumé (including an essay regarding career objectives) and repertoire list should be submitted at the audition.
•Audition should include 20-30 minutes of music representing your highest achievement.
Repertoire should include a major selection from each of the following:
A. Keyboard percussion (marimba, vibraphone,
xylophone)
B.
Timpani
C. Snare
drum
D. Drum set
- groove and solo styles
E. Orchestral excerpts on snare, xylophone, timpani - if applying for MM Performance.
•Sightreading - may be requested on snare drum, keyboard, or timpani
•Submit CD or DVD of at least one of the following: multiple-percussion performance, drum set (preferably in an ensemble context), ethnic percussion/hand drums.
4. Audition outcomes Dr. Schaft will call you to confirm your acceptance and a pending assistantship offer. Dr. Schaft will forward his assistantship recommendation to the Dana Graduate Committee who must approve your assistantship. Once approved, they will mail you a contract. After you have returned the signed contract you may register for classes.
5. Registration & Advisement: Meet with Dr. Stephen Ausmann (Coordinator of Graduate Music Studies) to discuss graduate course selection. See Registration Advisement for Percussion Ensemble and Percussion Seminar class schedule.