# What are Proficiency Minimums? "Proficiency minimums" are the UNLV Percussion Area's method of exposing Undergraduate students to a wide variety of repertoire that develops awareness of a vast array of musical and technical concepts necessary to be a successful at the various stages of a degree (e.g., recitals, student teaching) and at the point of graduation into the professional sphere. ## Minimums Progression Proficiency across the numerous areas of percussion is a step-by-step process. Thus certain minimums must be met by specific semesters to be permitted advancement to upper levels of study. Below is the list outline for quick access. Beneath the list are the minimum groupings ### Lower-Division Minimums ("Level IV") The following proficiency lists ***must* be completed by the end of the fourth semester of study** (e.g., MUSA 228) in order 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 In order to be a competent contributor to large ensembles, percussion ensembles, and to have the understanding of foundational skills necessary to prepare for recitals, the front-loaded proficiency minimums serve as a heavy, yet clearly guided workload to bring all undergrads up to a level of playing that avoids remediation of fundamental deficiencies prior to higher stakes solo repertoire and ensemble preparation. ### Junior Recital Minimums The following proficiencies must be completed ideally by the fifth or sixth semester (e.g., MUSA 327, 328) in order 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, represent the remaining mediums of western/classical percussion performance that one must have a *minimum* proficiency of in order to be fully capable of realizing a solo percussion recital. Multiple Percussion (Perf. Majors) and Drum Set (Ed. Majors) are ***required components*** to Junior Recitals and thus the minimums must be met prior to giving a recital. ### Graduation Minimums (Senior Recital Minimums) The following proficiencies must be completed prior to the completion of study for all Performance Majors in order to give a Senior Recital in order to graduate with Bachelor of Performance in Percussion. [[World Percussion Minimums]] [[Excerpts Minimums]] [[General Knowledge Minimums]] #### Rationale World Percussion, Classical Excerpts, and our curated General Knowledge minimums serve as the final areas of proficiency we expect out of percussionists (typically Performance Majors) to possess prior to graduation into the professional or graduate environment. > [!NOTE] A note about World Percussion > World Percussion, in particular, is listed last due to the mediums *in* which and mechanisms *by* which these skills are developed. World Percussion does not run perfectly parallel with growth across the standard western/classical percussion skills, and is often acquired by specific classes taught in a "master drummer" style by rote like our [[MUSE 466+566 - Hand Drum Ensemble|MUS 466]] class. It is also often self-taught and develops at a pace that is not easily programmable within the gestalt of UNLV's Percussion curriculum Our General Knowledge minimums are a curated selection of readings covering history, industry, culture, performance and leadership psychology, injury prevention, financial literacy, and overall citizenship and artistry considerations. It is a representative collection of knowledge and guidance that the UNLV Percussion Area believes is important for developing 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 are designed to 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 serve as your guide through a vast repertoire of work intended to build competency expected of professional percussionist both as commercial performers and primary/secondary educators. Minimums across different areas of study act as milestones and thresholds for progression to higher level study and recital eligibility. All material herein (and all minimums and progression decisions) are at the discretion of the 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 328+ (Upper Divisional Study)** | ITEM | PRE-REQUISITE | IDEAL START | IDEAL FINISH | | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ------------ | | Vibraphone | 4-Mallet: Zetlsman 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 for graduation (Performance Majors Only)**