Principal Applied Percussion (Sophomore Level)

Course Description

MVP2321 — Principal Applied Percussion is the sophomore-level continuation of one-on-one applied percussion study for students whose principal instrument is percussion. The course extends the multi-instrument foundation built in MVP1311 with increased technical demands across snare drum, keyboard percussion (including introductory or expanded four-mallet marimba work), timpani (multi-drum study with rapid tuning changes), drum set (broader stylistic range), and growing exposure to multi-percussion solo repertoire and orchestral excerpts.

Florida public institutions offering MVP2321 include the same approximately 27 colleges and universities that offer MVP1311. Florida State University identifies MV_2321–2326 as the sophomore principal applied music sequence; per Eastern Florida State College's catalog, MVP2321 is structured at 2 credits with a 60-minute weekly lesson, end-of-term jury, recital appearance, and a possible 20-minute sophomore recital at the conclusion of the second semester.

The Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) encodes information about applied music courses in the digits of the course number. Following the convention documented by Florida State University's College of Music, the first digit indicates academic level (1 = freshman, 2 = sophomore, 3 = junior, 4 = senior), the second digit indicates the applied music placement (2 = secondary, 3 = principal, 4 = performance), the third digit repeats the first, and the fourth digit indicates the specific instrument within the prefix family.

For MVP2321, the prefix MVP denotes Applied Music: Percussion; 2 indicates sophomore level; 3 indicates principal placement; 2 repeats the academic level; and the final 1 places percussion within the prefix family.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of MVP2321, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate fluent rudimental vocabulary with control of all 40 PAS rudiments at varied tempos.
• Perform advanced snare drum etudes requiring complex rudimental combinations, dynamic control, and musical interpretation.
• Demonstrate fluent two-mallet technique across the full range of marimba/xylophone, including double stops and rapid passage work.
• Perform introductory four-mallet marimba repertoire (where program emphasis includes 4-mallet work) using Stevens, Burton, or traditional cross-grip.
• Demonstrate multi-drum timpani technique on three or four drums with mid-piece tuning changes (where required by repertoire), refined muffling, and stylistic interpretation.
• Apply jazz drum set vocabulary appropriate to sophomore standing: medium swing, Latin (bossa, mambo, samba), shuffle, and basic comping/independence.
• Prepare and perform solo repertoire on three or more percussion instruments at sophomore standard.
• Demonstrate introductory orchestral excerpt study on snare drum, mallets, timpani, and accessory percussion.
• Perform a sophomore-level faculty jury demonstrating prepared materials across multiple percussion instruments.
• Continue concurrent participation in allied ensembles with growing leadership and reliability.

Optional Outcomes

• Perform a 20-minute sophomore recital with repertoire spanning at least three percussion instruments (institutional requirement at some programs).
• Apply advanced four-mallet techniques: independent rolls, single-alternating melodies, lateral and vertical strokes.
• Demonstrate jazz vibraphone improvisation over a standard tune.
• Engage in chamber music through percussion ensemble featured work or mixed-chamber repertoire.
• Develop marching/drumline proficiency where institution offers it.
• Audition for PAS Florida Chapter events, university competitions, or external youth-orchestra/festival positions.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Advanced Snare Repertoire: Cirone Portraits in Rhythm (full set), Delécluse Vingt Études, Pratt advanced solos, Wilcoxon All-American Drummer.
• Keyboard Percussion Repertoire: Goldenberg expanded; transcribed Bach (Sonatas, Partitas movements); Stout Two Mexican Dances (or comparable two-mallet marimba solo); Musser etudes.
• Four-Mallet Marimba (Introductory or Continuing): Stevens Method of Movement for Marimba; selected solos by Stout, Maslanka, Burritt, or Tanaka.
• Timpani Repertoire: Goodman expanded; Hochrainer Vol. II; multi-drum etudes; introductory orchestral excerpts.
• Drum Set Stylistic Vocabulary: Swing, bossa nova, mambo, samba, shuffle, half-time funk, jazz waltz; coordinated independence; brush technique.
• Multi-Percussion Solos: Carter Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (selected pieces); Globokar ?Corporel; Stout multi-percussion solos.
• Orchestral Excerpts: Standard snare excerpts (Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol, Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé); mallet excerpts (Gershwin Porgy and Bess, Stravinsky L'Histoire du soldat); timpani excerpts (Beethoven symphonies, Brahms symphonies).
• Performance Setup and Logistics: Multi-instrument setup planning, sticking choreography for instrument changes, page-turn and music-stand strategy.
• Recital Programming: Building a balanced 20-minute program across instrument families.

Optional Topics

• World Percussion: Continued development in Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, or West African traditions.
• Jazz Vibraphone Performance: Block-chord melody, two-mallet improvisation, four-mallet voicing.
• Marching Percussion: Drumline rudimental playing, ensemble coordination, marching technique.
• Concerto Repertoire: Beginning study of an accessible percussion or marimba concerto movement.
• Chamber Percussion: Substantial percussion ensemble works (Reich Drumming excerpts, Cage Third Construction excerpts, contemporary chamber works).

Resources & Tools

• Studio Faculty Member: Continuing 60-minute weekly lessons; many institutions assign students to the same teacher across freshman/sophomore years for continuity.
• Expanded Practice Facilities: Sophomore percussionists typically have priority access to higher-quality marimbas (4.5- or 5-octave), full timpani sets (4 drums), and multi-percussion setup space.
• Method Books (Continuing): Cirone, Delécluse, Stevens, Goodman, Reed, Chapin (advanced chapters).
• Excerpt Books: Carroll Orchestral Repertoire for the Snare Drum; Goldenberg orchestral excerpts; Goodman timpani excerpts; Anthology of Orchestral Percussion Excerpts.
• Jury Committee: Sophomore juries typically expect longer programs across more percussion instruments than freshman juries.
• PAS Florida Chapter Day of Percussion: Annual event providing performance opportunities, masterclasses, and exposure to leading Florida and visiting percussionists.
• Recording Equipment: Most institutions provide audio/video recording equipment for jury archives and recital documentation.

Career Pathways

• Music Educator (K–12, post-completion of BME and Florida teacher certification through FTCE Music K–12).
• Performing Musician in regional orchestras, opera and ballet pit orchestras, theatre productions, jazz ensembles, and chamber groups. Florida hosts the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay), Naples Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, Palm Beach Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, and the Sarasota Opera.
• Theme Park & Entertainment Performer at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Disney Cruise Line.
• Cruise Ship Musician for vessels homeporting at Florida's major embarkation ports (PortMiami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Tampa Bay, Jacksonville).
• Worship and Liturgical Musician for churches across Florida's metro and rural communities.
• Private Studio Teacher, often credentialed through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) or instrument-specific Florida professional associations.
• Military Musician with U.S. Armed Forces premier bands or regional service bands (audition required; competitive).
• Studio Recording & Session Work, particularly in the Miami, Orlando, and Tampa recording markets.

Students intending to pursue performance professionally should plan on completing a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance at a Florida university — typically Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Miami (Frost), University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida Gulf Coast University, or Florida A&M University — and continuing to graduate study or competitive auditions.

By the sophomore year, percussion principals should begin to investigate specific career destinations: regional symphony auditions (Florida Orchestra and Jacksonville Symphony hold regular audition cycles); theme-park audition cycles (Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando hold national auditions multiple times per year); U.S. military service bands (extremely competitive); cruise-ship orchestra/show bands; and continuing graduate programs (FSU, USF, and UM Frost have particularly strong graduate percussion programs in the Southeast).

Special Information

SCNS Transferability

Applied music courses with prefixes MVB, MVH, MVJ, MVK, MVO, MVP, MVS, MVV, and MVW are not automatically transferable under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System. Per FSCJ's published policy on the SCNS, these courses require evidence of skill achievement (audition, jury performance, or portfolio) and must be evaluated individually by the receiving institution. Students transferring to a four-year music program should plan to audition with the receiving institution's applied faculty regardless of credits earned. The Florida Common Prerequisites Manual (available at floridashines.org) lists state-wide prerequisite expectations for music majors transferring to State University System institutions; faculty in the receiving program place students into the appropriate applied level based on audition.

Continued Audition Standing

Continuation in MVP2321 typically requires successful completion of MVP1311 with a passing jury and a grade of "C" or higher. Per Eastern Florida State College's published prerequisites, MVP1311 must have been completed with C or higher across 4 credits (i.e., two semesters at 2 credits each) prior to MVP2321 enrollment. Students not yet at the required standard may be required to repeat MVP1311.

Credit Hour Variation

Credit values for MVP2321 vary across Florida institutions, ranging from 1 to 2 credits per semester. The 2-credit / 60-minute lesson model is the most common structure at Florida community colleges with established music programs.

Sophomore Recital

Per Eastern Florida State College's catalog, "a 20-minute recital at the end of the second semester may be required." Some institutions require this recital as part of the MVP2321 sequence; others reserve recital requirements for the junior or senior level. The sophomore recital, where required, typically includes works on at least three percussion instruments selected to demonstrate breadth.

Continuation Sequence

MVP2321 is followed by MVP3431 at the junior principal level (per the FGCU catalog), continuing through MVP4441 at the senior level. Successful completion through the junior level (by jury) is a degree requirement at most Florida four-year music programs. Students intending to pursue the BM Performance degree at FSU, UF, UM Frost, or USF should plan to audition with the receiving institution's percussion faculty regardless of credits earned.