Percussion

Preliminary Recordings due: Nov 2, 2026
Electronic submission must be received by: 11:59 PM EST*

Live Round: Feb 23, 2027
Applicants invited to the live round will receive paid travel, lodging, and food stipend provided by U.S. Army (pending approval for military service).

Application packets:
Audition packets must include a resume with date of birth, cover letter, and high-quality video recordings no more than six months old with the following music in this order (separate files for each excerpt):

Snare Drum:
John S. Pratt: Drum Corps on Parade from “14 Modern Contest Solos”; performed using traditional grip. Perform at quarter = 116

Mitchell Peters: Solo of choice from “Advanced Snare Drum Studies”
Mallets:

Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor from “Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone” by Morris Goldenberg. Perform on marimba. Start at the beginning and end on the downbeat five measures after Rehearsal D.
4-mallet solo of choice. No more than three minutes total. Partial selections are permitted.

Drum Set:
Demonstrate the following styles. No more than three minutes total for all four styles.

Medium Swing
Samba
Rock
Mambo
Cymbals:

Solo crashes: Three soft, three medium, three loud. Pause for 2-3 seconds between each crash.

Timpani:

Perform one etude choice (three or four drums) from one of the following:

“Etudes for Timpani” – Richard Hochrainer
“Fundamental Method for Timpani” – Mitchell Peters
“Symphonic Studies for Timpani” – Nick Woud
Optional:

Solo of excerpt of choice demonstrating additional percussion skills that highlight personal strengths. Examples: Mallet solo, hand percussion, drum set. Recorded selections with ensembles or play-along tracks are permitted. Partial selections of pieces are permitted. No more than three minutes total.

Live round excerpts will be sent to selected candidates via email.

Your resume should include education, performance/work/teaching experience, and references.

Your cover letter should augment your resume, describing what additional skills you bring to the position beyond playing percussion. This might include skills in arts administration, arranging, audio mixing/engineering, otherinstrument/vocal proficiencies, marketing, computer skills (graphics/video editing/Microsoft Office/other), etc.

Job Description:
The West Point Band is a U.S. Army premier band whose main duty is to perform for local, national, and international audiences in support of the West Point community, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Army.
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Play percussion with the West Point Band’s concert band. Play rudimental snare drum, bass drum, or cymbals with the marching band. Play with chamber ensembles as needed that range in musical genre.

Secondary duties related to the day-to-day functioning of the West Point Band will be assigned based on experience, knowledge, interest, and/or needs of the unit.

Questions about this job listing or music list should be directed to SFC David Bergman, Principal Percussion: david.bergman@westpoint.edu

Qualifications:
Professional performance level; Bachelor of Music degree or higher preferred (not required). Ability to meet Army initial entry requirements and maintain a professional appearance. Must be a U.S. citizen or other qualified resident. Position requires at least a four-year service contract; candidate will be informed of acceptance prior to enlistment.

Upon accepting employment with the West Point Band, the hired candidate will be required to complete Army Basic Training.

Military Personnel:
Military personnel must also submit their Soldier Record Brief (or equivalent) without photo, three years of performance evaluatio