# What are Proficiency Minimums? "Proficiency minimums" are how the UNLV Percussion Area exposes undergraduates to the wide variety of repertoire and technical concepts needed to succeed at each stage of the degree (e.g., recitals, student teaching) and at graduation into the professional sphere. Download PDF of all Minimums Here:[[UG Curriculum_AY 26-27.pdf]] (may require desktop version for download) ## Minimums Progression Proficiency across percussion is a step-by-step process. Certain minimums must be met by specific semesters to advance to upper levels of study. The outline below gives quick access; the groupings follow. ### Lower-Division Minimums ("Level IV") These lists ***must* be completed by the end of the fourth semester of study** (e.g., MUSA 228) to pass the "Level IV" Jury and transition to Upper-Divisional Applied Lessons. - [[Snare Drum Minimums]] - [[Two-Mallet Keyboard Minimums]] - [[Four-Mallet Marimba Minimums]] - [[Timpani Minimums]] - [[Accessories Minimums]] #### Rationale Front-loading these minimums brings every undergrad to a level of playing that avoids remediating fundamental deficiencies later — when higher-stakes solo repertoire and ensemble preparation demand full attention. ### Junior Recital Minimums Complete these ideally by the fifth or sixth semester (e.g., MUSA 327, 328) to perform a Junior Recital. - [[Vibraphone Minimums]] - [[Multiple Percussion Minimums]] (Performance Majors only) - [[Drum Set Minimums]] (Education Majors) - [[Electronics Minimums]] #### Rationale Vibes, multi, drum set, and electronics are the remaining mediums of Western/classical percussion a soloist must minimally command to realize a solo recital. Multiple Percussion (Performance Majors) and Drum Set (Education Majors) are ***required components*** of Junior Recitals, so those minimums must be met before the recital. ### Graduation Minimums (Senior Recital Minimums) All Performance Majors must complete the following minimums to give a Senior Recital. - [[World Percussion Minimums]] - [[Excerpts Minimums]] - [[General Knowledge Minimums]] #### Rationale World Percussion, Classical Excerpts, and General Knowledge are the final proficiencies we expect of percussionists (typically Performance Majors) before graduation into the professional or graduate environment. > [!NOTE] A note about World Percussion > World Percussion is listed last because of *how* these skills develop. They don't run parallel with standard Western/classical percussion growth — they're often taught by rote in a "master drummer" style (like our [[MUSE 466+566 - Hand Drum Ensemble|MUSE 466]] class) or self-taught, at a pace that resists programming within the gestalt of UNLV's Percussion curriculum. Our General Knowledge minimums are curated readings covering history, industry, culture, performance and leadership psychology, injury prevention, financial literacy, and overall citizenship and artistry. They build not just excellent musicians, but excellent leaders and equanimous people who positively impact their communities after leaving our program. ## Official Function of "Proficiency Minimums" These minimums fulfill and exceed the performance, repertoire, sight-reading, ensemble, and pedagogical competency requirements set forth in NASM Standards H.VIII.B.1, H.VIII.C, and H.IX.A.3. Where NASM standards establish a programmatic floor, this document establishes the UNLV Percussion Area's field-informed threshold — derived from professional practice expectations in orchestral/commercial performance, music education, and collegiate-level percussion pedagogy. ## Translation for the Student These minimums guide you through a vast repertoire that builds the competency expected of professional percussionists — as commercial performers and as primary/secondary educators. They act as milestones and thresholds for advancement and recital eligibility. All progression decisions are at the discretion of UNLV Percussion Area faculty and instructors. ## Proficiency Progression Table | ITEM | PRE-REQUISITE | IDEAL START | IDEAL FINISH | | ------------------- | --------------- | ----------- | ------------ | | Snare | — | Sem 1 | Sem 3 | | 2-Mallet (Xylo/Mar) | — | Sem 1 | Sem 3 | | Timpani | — | Sem 1 | Sem 3 | | 4-Mallet (Marimba) | McMillan etudes | Sem 1 | Sem 4 | | Accessory Perc | — | Sem 1 | Sem 3 | **Completion of the above minimums permits advancement to 327+ (Upper-Divisional Study)** | ITEM | PRE-REQUISITE | IDEAL START | IDEAL FINISH | | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ------------ | | Vibraphone | 4-Mallet: Zeltsman Studies | Sem 2 | Sem 5 | | Multi-Percussion (Perf.) | Peters Intermediate + Zeltsman + Bass + Cymbal | Sem 3 | Sem 5 | | Drum Set (Ed. + Perf.) | Rudiments + Peters Intermediate | Sem 3 | Sem 6 | **Completion of the above minimums permits advancement to Junior & Senior Recitals** | ITEM | PRE-REQUISITE | IDEAL START | IDEAL FINISH | | ----------------- | ------------------------------- | ----------- | ------------ | | World Percussion | Cirone Snare + Quartier Marimba | Sem 4-5 | Sem 6-8 | | Excerpts | All Accessories | Sem 1 | Sem 6-8 | | Electronics | All complete | Sem 5 | Sem 6-8 | | General Knowledge | — | Sem 1 | Sem 6-8 | **Completion of the above minimums is required for graduation (Performance Majors Only)**