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Undergraduate Jazz Audition Requirements

Jazz Saxophone

Jazz Saxophone Auditions are divided into four segments:

1) Applicants should bring a list of prepared repertoire (a minimum of four standard songs/jazz standards) to be performed in a combo setting. The list should represent a variety of key centers, tempos and rhythmic formats (swing, jazz rock, ballad, Latin, etc.). Applicants will be judged on interpretation of melodies, improvisational skills (melodic development, chord scale relationships, rhythm, etc.), and size and variety of repertoire. Basic piano accompaniment will be provided. The applicant may also perform a portion of the audition with self-supplied prerecorded rhythm section tracks or provide their own accompanist. Performance of jazz repertoire by memory is strongly encouraged.

2) Prepare a concert piece or etude (non-jazz). Applicants will be judged on technique, phrasing, articulation, tone and intonation, etc. as related to the interpretation of a written piece of music.

3) Music Theory: Applicants are expected to have proficiency on all major and harmonic minor scales across the entire range of the saxophone. Jazz saxophone applicants should be comfortable with basic chord construction and be able to arpeggiate all qualities of seventh chords. Knowledge of more advanced scales/chords/patterns is a plus. On campus auditions will include a brief theory/ear evaluation.

4) An etude or concert piece demonstrating skills on secondary instruments (clarinet, flute, or piano) is optional but encouraged.

On campus final auditions are preferred and will include sight-reading, scales, and a brief interview.

Regional auditions: Bring your accompaniment for the jazz selections prerecorded and a play back unit. The Jamey Aebersold accompaniment recordings are acceptable. Sight-reading, scales, and a brief interview will be included.

Supplemental audition materials/recordings are encouraged but may not be substituted for the listed audition requirements.

Jazz Trumpet

Two or three short tunes in a small group setting with drums, bass, guitar, and/or piano that demonstrate your improvisational skills. Include a variety of rhythmical feels or tempos (swing, Latin, rock, ballad, etc.). You may include big band selections in which you are a featured soloist (tape only).
Optional - Original compositions or arrangements.

On-Campus Audition: In addition to prepared selections you may be asked to demonstrate technical devices (scales, articulations), theoretical knowledge (chord scales) and sight-read for rhythmical accuracy, time feel, and phrasing

Regional auditions: Bring your accompaniment prerecorded and a play back unit. The Jamey Aebersold accompaniment recordings are acceptable.

Jazz Trombone

Two or three short tunes in a small group setting with drums, bass, guitar, and/or piano that demonstrate your improvisational skills. Please include a variety of rhythmical feels or tempos (swing, Latin, rock, ballad, etc.) You may include big band selections on which you are a featured soloist (tape only).
Optional - Original compositions or arrangements.

Jazz Bass or Jazz Upright

On-campus Audition

Play a walking bass line, then changes at sight.
Sight-read a classical piece, or play a prepared piece.
Sight-read something with swing feel.
Answer questions on theory and background.

Taped/Regional Audition

Swing Four - with a walking bass line (5 minutes - most important).
Latin - Samba, Bossa, or Afro-Cuban (3 minutes).
Rock Feel - anything from funk to Corea, etc. (3 minutes).
A Legitimate Piece - selections from Baroque or Classical literature. Need not be a piece composed solely for bass; may be an étude (3 minutes).

We will be looking especially for a solid time feel and sound bass lines. State the theme in any or all of the first three categories. In addition, you must solo on all of them. The first three selections should be with drums, guitar and/or piano; additional instruments are acceptable as are synthesized or pre-recorded backgrounds.

Regional auditions: Bring your accompaniment for the jazz selections prerecorded and a play back unit. The Jamey Aebersold accompaniment recordings are acceptable.

Jazz Guitar

Taped/Regional Audition

Solo Piece - a standard or jazz ballad (e.g. Misty). Present the melody harmonized "chord-melody" unaccompanied (2-3 minutes). Improvisation is allowed within the time limits, but is not mandatory.
Small group selections - guitar, bass, drums, optional piano and/or horns.
1. a medium tempo 12 bar "jazz" blues.
2. a medium or medium-up tempo standard jazz tune; the harmonic rhythm (number of beats per chord change) should be primarily whole notes or half notes.
3. a standard ballad or jazz ballad.
For all of the above, play the melody (in the appropriate style) clearly and accurately and solo on each piece (up to 3 minutes for each). "comp" one chorus behind a horn, piano or bass solo in selection a or b. Additionally for c, include one improvised chorus in addition to the melody.

On-Campus Auditions: You will be asked to play all or part of the material listed above. The accompaniment will be provided by the faculty member conducting the audition. If your selections are unusual, please bring a lead sheet. You will be asked to sight-read a brief selection and answer questions about scales and chords.

Regional Audition: Bring your accompaniment for the small group selections prerecorded and a play back unit. The Jamey Aebersold accompaniment recordings are acceptable. You will be asked to play scales and chords.

Taped Audition: The total length of the tape should not exceed 20 minutes. If a live rhythm section is not available, a recording using Jamey Aebersol accompaniment recordings is acceptable. Be careful in balancing the volume of your part with that of the accompaniment.

Jazz Percussion (Studio Music and Jazz Majors only)

On-Campus Auditions are preferred. At your audition, you will demonstrate the following:

Knowledge of the jazz idiom, traditional and modern, at various tempos;
Proficiency in the rock, funk, and fusion styles;
Familiarity with Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and world styles;
Soloing in various settings: trading fours, filling, and improvising over an ostinato;
Chart reading in various styles

Regional Auditions: Please contact Professor Steve Rucker for further information.

Recorded Audition: Video/DVD preferred.

Perform each of the following:

One jazz piece in a trio or quartet setting with a walking bass line. Short solos ('fours') should be included.
One contemporary fusion or rock piece, played with an appropriate rhythm section.
One selection with an Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian or world rhythm.
One big band excerpt.

Since musical interaction is essential, please use a live rhythm section for your recording.

SNARE DRUM, MALLETS, AND TIMPANI ARE NO LONGER PART OF THE DRUMSET CURRICULUM, AND ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THE DRUMSET AUDITION.

Jazz Piano

On Campus Audition

Please prepare a variety of selection and bring a list of audition pieces. Include improvisation on all selections. Your audition will be performed on acoustic piano. Please prepare at least one from each of the following categories:

Ballad in tempo (standard, solo piano);
Swing tune (standard or jazz tune);
Latin tune (standard or jazz tune)

Also, you may be asked to sight read a piece

Bring a DVD or videotape which demonstrates your accompaniment abilities. Include a piece with at least one additional soloist: saxophone, trumpet, etc. (5 minutes). In addition feel free to include any other material on this recording which you feel showcases your abilities in styles other than those represented at the audition (arrangements, compositions, electric keyboard selections, etc.)

Taped/Regional Audition

Include the following on acoustic piano with improvisation on all selections:

Solo piano in ballad tempo, for example, Rainy Day, Stella by Starlight, etc. (4 minutes).
One or two trio selections (with bass and drums), preferably one swing tune and one Latin tune (5-7 minutes).
To demonstrate your accompaniment abilities, include a piece with at least one additional soloist: saxophone, trumpet, etc. (5 minutes). In addition feel free to include any other material on this recording which you feel showcases your abilities in styles other than those represented at the audition (arrangements, compositions, electric keyboard selections, etc.)

At the regional audition, item 1 should be performed live. Bring a DVD or videotape containing items 2 and 3. All taped auditions must be submitted on DVD or videotape.

Jazz Voice

Perform three memorized selections consisting of:

One ballad from the standard or jazz repertoire such as "Here's that Rainy Day", "The Nearness of You", "Misty", "Someone to Watch Over Me", or "What's New".
One up-tempo jazz or standard piece in swing style such as "Satin Doll", "Green Dolphin Street", or "In Other Words" ("Fly Me to the Moon").
One song from the contemporary pop repertoire with a rock, funk or disco flavor in a medium to bright tempo.
Accompaniment tapes are acceptable.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate some improvisational and sight-reading abilities however, these are not criteria for admission.

Regional Auditions: Bring either an accompanist or your accompaniment prerecorded and a play back unit.