What we are looking for when Selecting Beginning Percussionists

We are looking for students with:

• Innate Rhythmic Sense (Steady Pulse & Subdivision)

• Natural Limb Independence

• Ability to Mimic and Imitate Rhythms & Grips

• Potential for Growth, Great Demeanour & Attitudes, Strong Work Ethic

• A background in Piano is a Plus!

Remember that you will be learning to play Keyboard Instruments like, Xylophone, Bells & Marimbas as much or more than you will be playing Snare Drums. You will also learn how to play Timpani, Cymbals and numerous Auxiliary instruments used in the percussion section.

You will have roughly 7 minutes with the Foster HS Percussion Instructor to demonstrate your ability and potential at playing percussion through several different exercises.

Examples:

* With a metronome, tapping your foot and to a beat while patting your leg with your hand to different rhythms.
* Demonstrate ability to imitate stick grips that are demonstrated by the instructor.
* Wrist strokes with the sticks on a practice pad (8 on a hand) and other patters like “RLRL, RRLL, RLRR, LRLL etc.. using the sticks or mallets.

The ultimate goal with starting 10-12 percussion at Wertheimer MS each year is that these students will continue with music into Briscoe JH and eventually into Foster HS. We are looking for students that are invested in music from 6th-12th grade and not just for a couple of years, looking to move on to another activity. We want both your time learning and our time teaching to pay off for the future to continue to grow our percussion program at Foster HS.

If you feel all of this applies to you, than we are excited to meet you and see what you can do!.