Video auditions: In-person auditions are strongly recommended especially for scholarship consideration. If you're applying to the undergraduate program and cannot attend an audition in-person due to distance, you may submit an audition video. See guidelines here: https://music.utah.edu/students/admissions-scholarships.php#auditions 

Scholarships: Scholarships are based on merit determined by audition results. You don't have to be a music major to be on the drumline nor get a scholarship from the drumline. If you are a music major, then you do have access to School of Music / Percussion Studio scholarships (again, merit based) and of course, the U's academic scholarships. For graduate students, the Graduate Teaching Assistantship information is here: https://www.mikesammons.com/auditions.

How many students are in the percussion studio? How many are undergrads and graduates? I keep the studio anywhere between 17-22 with 1-2 graduate students typically. This ensures that the studio is large enough draw/collect enough talent but intimate enough so that the studio has a close, tight-knit I dare say family style feel. It is imperative to be around a lot of other great players but also a collaborative environment. From a faculty – studio member relationship, I always want a hands-on, one-on-one relationship. Even if students are studying a particular semester with another faculty member (also a big plus and draw to the U), I want my door to always be open to all students all the time. It is common for me to give lessons or do a mock with students even if they are not enrolled officially in lessons with me that semester.

What are some reasons why UTAH PERCUSION stands out from other universities and percussion programs?

BEYOND the website information and resources:

I treat my GTA's like junior colleagues and involve them in running the program, decisions, etc...not JUST (ha) going to get coffee. I feel this is vital to their professional field work. 
Diversity and quality of faculty (Carrick, Soulier, Wallis and Aeschbacher). Grad students get to choose their own path with guidance and capstone projects in order to best meet their own goals and career aspirations.

I am a working musician in a variety of settings (classical, ​theater, ​chamber, recording, non-western, rudimental​,  etc...) and live my lessons and find new ones every day. All of the faculty are. 

Extremely high graduate placement: Student just one the timpani position for Ballet West, Air Force Band of the West, US Army Hell Cats, graduate schools (NEC, Carnegie Mellon, TCU, FSU-ethnomusicology), Sub – Utah Symphony, HS percussion specialist, public school music educators, freelance teaching and performing, audio engineer / studio work and arts administration (Houston Symphony) 

 Is the audition repertoire on the website for the upcoming auditions Yes - https://www.mikesammons.com/auditions

What is the purpose of the percussion studio class? Lectures, student performances, guest artists, special projects, etc...

What kind of repertoire does the percussion ensemble focus on? YES! Funny way of saying all. We have also done compositions and/or arrangements by students within the studio. Our Evening of Percussion is also programmed by members of the studio – super fun and creative. We also have a the Utah Percussion Group, a full time group focused on a chamber percussion experience commissioning new works, creating recording projects, and performance at festivals including Percussive Arts International Convention (PASIC), Northwest Percussion Festival, among others including international opportunities. It meets outside of and in addition to the larger Percussion Ensemble. The Utah Percussion Group is auditioned with a total of 4 players and is re-auditioned every year.