I am going to soon be audtioning at UNT. I am hopping to become a jazz major and play set. But I need a marimba piece for the audition. I am proficiant at 4 mallet but dont want to do somthing to hard. I am looking for somthing that will show them good technique, dynamic contrast, decent independece and at least a intermediate knowledge of the intrument. Im not looking for something too hard. I want it to challenge me, but not so much that I cant get it perfect by my audition, which is in 4 months. I have looked at Yellow after the Rain and Rain Dance, but I would like to know wich is harder? Also, should I look for somthing more impressive? Thank you.

If you're looking for challenging, Yellow after the rain is not the way to go. I would do one of the Musser Etudes. And you can never go wrong with a Bach arrangement. Another good one is Virginia Tate by Stout. Its very melodic and challenging with permeantations.

What I meant is im looking for something challenging to my skill level. I am profeciant at 4-mallet but not up to doing something that will blow the judges minds. Im looking for something that will show them good technique, dynamic contrast, decent independence and a intermediate skill on the instrument. Im mainly wondering which is harder Rain Dance or Yellow after the Rain and if both are too easy, should try one harder? Thanks for the reply and i will edit my top post to fix my definition of "chalenging."

Those are both pretty easy. They're good to work on sound quality and correct technique, but I personally would consider picking something a little more difficult for an audition.

Have you looked at Rhythm Song? Or possibly Meditation and Dance?

Virginia Tate is written by Smadbeck

meditation and Dance by Steinquest is an a really cool piece. rain dance is much harder than yellow after the rain and I consider rain dance to be a good audition selection if you perfect it and make every phrase through out the entire selection rise and fall(exspecialy the roll section)

well just dont pick something that is too difficult for your skill level. its better to play something a little easier and nail it than to play something hard and not play it as well. if you dont think you're ready for a difficult peice, i think yellow after the rain would be good as long as you nail it.

Rain Dance by Alice Gomez is a solid grade 4. It is not a method piece. It is simple with good dynamics and, a nice latteral movement portion that impresses judges but is deceptively easy.

I think this is just what your looking for.