Prospective Members
Thank you for your interest in becoming an important part of The University of North Alabama Bands. The UNA Band program offers a variety of ensembles for which to audition.
Band Performance Award Audition Requirements
Band Performance Awards are granted to qualified student musicians and visual performers without regard to academic major. Members are required to be enrolled in the university band, be a full-time student once coming to campus, and remain in good standing within the band program to retain a Band Performance Award.
The Band Performance Awards are renewable throughout a student’s undergraduate career, and members have the option to re-audition for an increased award.
Audition Requirements
The UNA Band Performance Award audition consists of:
A.) Three chromatically adjacent major scales (ex. Bb, B, C)
B.) A two-octave chromatic scale
C.) A solo or etude of your choice
D.) A short sight-reading excerpt (provided)
The entire process takes only about 15 minutes.
For additional information contact:
unabands@una.edu
256.765.5111
UNA offers highly competitive scholarship amounts for incoming students via audition. Out-of-state state students scoring high enough on auditions may be eligible to have out-of-state tuition fees waived.
Music Majors with Percussion as the Primary Instrument
Suggested repertoire is as follows:
Snare Drum:
1 rudimental solo - Hurley, Pratt, etc. - Will be played on a concert snare drum
1 concert solo or etude - Cirone, Delecluse, Lepak, Firth, etc.
Play a concert style roll which crescendos from piano to fortissimo, and decrescendos back to piano over one minute.
Keyboards:
1 two mallet solo or etude - ragtime solos, all state etudes, etc.
1 four mallet solo (not required, but highly recommended)
Major scales and arpeggios - 2 octaves
These can be performed on xylophone, marimba or vibraphone
Drumset (required for all auditioning as majors)
Drumset Etude
Timpani:
1 solo or etude - Firth, Goodman, Hinger, Beck, etc.
Tuning and pitch matching will be tested.
Keyboard and/or snare drum sight reading will be required of all who audition.
You will also choose one of the below Marching Percussion Options to add to your audition. If auditioning for snare or tenors your rudimental solo can be on snare or tenors for your major audition.
Audition Dates for ALL Percussionists (choose one of the dates below - email twiggins@una.edu ) with which date you prefer)
Auditions for the 2026-2027 academic year will be held on the following dates:
May 16, 9 am to 5 pm and May 17, 1 pm to 5 pm
Other dates can be arranged with Dr. Wiggins if you cannot make the scheduled dates!
Please apply for admission to the University before coming to audition for the music faculty.
Entertainment Industry Degree with drumset as their instrument of study.
Prepare a rudimental solo on either snare drum. Be prepared to sight-read as well as perform Paradiddles, Paradiddlediddles, Flam Accent, Open Roll.
STYLES
Demonstrate the following styles with a “play along” CD music track
1) 12 Bar Blues Shuffle (w/ backbeat on 2 & 4)
2) 12 Bar Blues Jazz/Swing Time, Medium Tempo (“Freddie the Freeloader”)
3) Bossa Nova. High Hat, then Ride Cymbal, High Hat on 2 & 4.
(“Girl from Ipanema”, “Blue Bossa”)
4) Funk/R&B Groove (“Cold Sweat”, James Brown)
5) Afro Cuban Mambo (“Mambo Inn”)
6) 6/8 Afro Cuban Bembe (“Footprints”)
7) 3 Bars of Funk Groove, 1 Bar Fill
READING
1) Read example IB, IIA from New Breed by Gary Chester
a) on snare drum only
b) with Bass Drum, over 8ths on the high hat
2) Read Syncopation Solo #1 from Ted Reed with swing 8ths over Jazz Ride, High Hat on 2 & 4
If you have any questions or concerns about your repertoire please contact Dr. Wiggins.
Non-Music Majors contact Dr. Wiggins at twiggins@una.edu for more information.
ALL students must also attend the Final Live Marching Auditions:
May 16, 9 am to 5 pm and May 17, 1 pm to 5 pm
UNA Band Audition Form
