Information needed

[pukeboy66]

So, I'm not really a very experienced drummer, I've played on a kit a good bit and have been reading up on some basic stuff recently, and found I have a decent feel for it. Now, what makes that all relevant is that I'm contemplating possibly going to school for music theory with an emphasis on percussion. I know a good bit of theory already, and would really just like to know if any of you are prevy at all to the kinds of things I would be expected to know/play in an audition, and what all I should be aware of before entering school. It sounds fallacious that I'm thinking of majoring on an instrument I have no real background in but if I could be humoured it would be greatly appreciated.

[We_Love_Lime]

Lol.
Sorry to break your heart.
But knowledge on kit won't help you at all with music theory.
Unless like Marimba is your principal instrument or something.

You can do like your Bachelors in Music with emphasis on Music Theory, and in that case you'd need to audition on your principal instrument (Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpet etc..)
And for Percussionists, drum set isn't usually even required.

Correct me if I'm wrong people, or maybe I'm not understanding pukeboy's question correctly.

[pukeboy66]

I'm well aware that I would not be performing/utilizing a drum set in my schoolwork, I was simply saying I've had experience with it and have a decent feel for percussion because of my experiences with it.

My question, to clarify, was: What knowledge would I need to have already aquired to perform on par with other percussionists at school. A list of rudiments or practice routines that some of you may have developed over time would be nice. I wasn't planning on auditioning using a kit of any sort, I assumed it would probably just require a single snare or something along those lines.

[We_Love_Lime]

You need to be well versed in Timpani and a Mallet instrument as well.
Look at any college's audition requirements.
Most of them will have what you need to prepare for percussion.
2 Mallet Xylophone (Like George Hamilton Green rags or something) although 4 mallet is also preferred and encouraged.
A Timpani exerpt, and a snare piece.

If you're comfortable with rudiments and stuff, I imagine the snare would be easy, but Timpani and Xylophone might give you trouble.
If you're just going in knowing drumset, you're going to be way behind other percussionists.

General List of what's expected to be accepted into a school of music

Percussion, Marimba, Xylophone

* One composition, or movement from a composition, of your choice with four mallets and another with two mallets.
* A variety of major and minor scales.
*

Sight reading with two mallets.

Snare Drum

* Two études or compositions of diverse styles demonstrating musicality as well as technical ability.
*

Sight reading.

Timpani

* One composition or movement from a composition.
* Demonstration of tuning ability. (Mr. Rosen will ask you to match pitches and tune various intervals from given pitches.)

[billdrum]

What year are you in school right now? It would be unrealistic to think you can learn enough percussion in a short period of time to major in it at the college level. If you already know a good bit of music theory, as you say, do you play another instrument? Keyboard, guitar, etc.?

As Others pointed out, you need a demonstrated background in mallets, timpani, and snare drum to major in college.