Undergraduate Jazz Audition Requirements

Prescreen is required for all Frost School of Music applicants, and unless specified, prescreen requirements are the same as listed below. 

• Prescreening

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

• Audition

  • Play a walking bass line, over changes at sight and improvise a solo
  • Sight-read a Classical piece
    
  • Sight-read something with swing feel and improvise a solo
    
  • Answer questions on theory and background
    

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Chuck Bergeron.

• Prescreening

  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 drums curriculum and are not required for the drums audition.
  

   

• Audition

  On-campus auditions are preferred. You will be asked to demonstrate:
  

  • 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
    

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Dafnis Prieto.

• Audition Guidelines

  • The pieces must have either On-Campus rhythm section accompaniment (preferred) or pre-recorded (Jamey Aebersold play-a-longs are acceptable)
  • All selections (except the unaccompanied "solo piece") should feature the applicant playing the melody (at least once) and improvising. Soloing by the other musicians should be strictly minimal. Edit your selection if necessary to keep it to a minimum.
  • The selections should all be common standards and jazz tunes. Please, no "originals" at this time.
  • The total length of each of the 3 small group pieces should be between 3 and 5 minutes each.
  • Please do not include additional pieces beyond what is listed in the requirements below.
  • All music performed (except, of course, for the improvisation sections) needs to be played from memory, in other words, no "reading" lead sheets, fake books, etc.

   

• Prescreening & 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.
    
  • A medium tempo 12 bar "jazz" blues.
    
  • 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.
    
  • A standard ballad or jazz ballad.
    

   

• Audition

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

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor John Hart.

• Prescreening

  Prescreening selections must be performed on acoustic piano, with bass and drums accompaniment. Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. Improvisation should be included on all selections.
  

  • Ballad-must be performed solo piano
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune
  • At least one selection should include accompanying (comping) for a bass or other instrument solo. 

   

• Audition

  Your audition will be performed on acoustic piano, with bass accompaniment (provided). Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. Improvisation should be included on all selections.

  • Ballad
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Medium up/Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune
    

  Your audition will also include a sight-reading component.
  
  Please bring lead sheets for all prepared songs. Prepare at least one song to perform solo piano.
  
  You are highly encouraged to bring a CD/DVD/Flash Drive including any other material you feel showcases your abilities (arrangements, compositions, recordings/videos of playing in other styles, accompanying, organ/electric keyboard selections, etc.).

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Martin Bejerano.

• Prescreening

  • A video recording of three to five short songs (standard songs, jazz standards, originals) in contrasting styles with rhythm section accompaniment. Live rhythm section strongly preferred, play along tracks acceptable. Please include the melody of each song and several choruses of improvisation. Only solos by the applicant, please.
  • Supplemental material such as minor instrument pieces, classical pieces, big band recordings, compositions etc. is welcome but cannot substitute for the basic saxophone and rhythm format.
  • The preliminary audition recording will continue to be evaluated as supplemental material to the live audition, if granted. It is in the applicant’s best interest to present a strong presentation.
    

• Audition

  • Applicants should prepare a minimum of five standard songs/jazz standards representing a variety of key centers, tempos, and rhythmic format. Applicants will be evaluated on improvisational skills, melodic interpretation, and instrumental proficiency. Basic piano accompaniment will be provided; in some cases, applicants will perform with a rhythm section. Performance of jazz repertoire by memory is strongly encouraged.
    
  • In addition to prepared selections, you may be asked to demonstrate scales and arpeggios, knowledge of chord scale relationships and progressions, aural skills, and sight-read written music and/or chord changes.
  • Optional, but encouraged - a concert piece or etude (non-jazz). Applicants will be judged on technique, accuracy, phrasing, articulation, tone, and intonation, etc. as related to the interpretation of a written piece of music. Please submit as a supplemental recording.
  • Optional, but encouraged - an etude, concert piece, or jazz performance demonstrating skills on secondary instrument(s) such as clarinet, flute, or piano. Please submit as a supplemental recording.
  • Supplemental audition materials such as original compositions and arrangements are welcome and encouraged, but may not be substituted for the listed audition requirements.

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Marcus Strickland.

• Prescreening & Audition

  • 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 rhythmic 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.

• Additional audition requirements

  • In addition to prepared selections, you may be asked to demonstrate technical devices (scales, articulations), theoretical knowledge (chord scales) and sight-read for rhythmic accuracy, time feel, and phrasing.
    

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Dante Luciani.

• Prescreening & Audition

  • 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 (recording only).
  • Optional - Original compositions or arrangements.

• Additional audition requirements

  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.
  

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Brian Lynch.

• Prescreening

  Prescreening selections must be performed on vibraphone, with piano, bass and drums accompaniment. Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. State the theme and perform at least 2 choruses of improvisation on all selections.

  You will be evaluated on the following criteria: Technique, Harmonic language (vocabulary), Rhythmic accuracy/swing feel, Improvisational structure, Creativity and Expression.

  • Ballad
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune
  • At least one selection should include accompanying (comping) for a bass or other instrument solo
  • Optional:
    • Unaccompanied/Solo vibraphone performance with 2 or 4 mallets
    • A published solo vibraphone etude or a jazz vibraphone transcription

  Sound and video quality

  • Sound and Video Recordings must be genuinely performed by you 
  • Sound and Video Recordings must not be edited, nor should any effects such as “reverb” be added
  • Play back and check your entire recording for any distortion or excessive “buzz”  
  • If accompaniment is required, ensure that it does not drown out your playing.
  • Review your recordings before uploading to ensure that they are of good quality and represent your best work to date

   

• Audition

  Your audition will be performed on vibraphone (provided), with bass and piano accompaniment (provided). Please include one song from the standard jazz repertoire for each of the following categories. Improvisation should be included on all selections. No original compositions! Please select different compositions from the one you submitted for the prescreening.  

  • Ballad
  • Medium tempo Swing tune
  • Medium up/Up tempo Swing tune
  • Latin/Straight eighth tune

  Your audition will also include a sight-reading component.

  Please bring lead sheets for all prepared songs.

  Prepare at least one song to perform solo/unaccompanied vibraphone with either 2 or 4 mallets.

  You are highly encouraged to bring a CD/DVD/Flash Drive including any other material you feel showcases your abilities (arrangements, compositions, recordings/videos of playing in other styles, accompanying, etc.).

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Professor Errol Rackipov.

• Prescreening

  The prescreen will consist of four (4) prepared selections as listed below: 

  • Perform two (2) selections from the traditional jazz or jazz standard repertoire in a swing feel at different tempos; one medium (between 120-180bpm) and one fast swing (minimum 190bpm)  One of these selections should include at least one chorus of vocal improvisation.  To be performed with live accompaniment (piano alone or rhythm section).
  • Perform one (1) slow tempo ballad, in a straight eighth feel (between 60-80bpm), one time through the form from the traditional jazz or jazz standard repertoire.  To be performed with live accompaniment (piano alone or rhythm section).
  • Perform one (1) selection of your choice form the above or any other style (Latin, Rock, Pop, R&B, Fusion, original compositions, etc.).  This piece may be performed with live, self or recorded accompaniment. 

  Helpful Hints: Recording a Successful Prescreen

  Be sure your audio recording is balanced and you (the soloist) can be heard clearly above the rhythm section or accompaniment. Please review/listen (perhaps with your teacher or other experienced musician) to the entire recording before uploading the video. 

  Videos created for the prescreen purpose are preferred but videos of live performances are acceptable if the videos are of good audio and video quality and the content meets the required material stated above. Please edit or remove instrumental solos or features in your prescreen videos.

  Suggestions for repertoire ideas can be found at standardrepertoire.com or jazzstandards.com/compositions. 

• Audition

  The audition will consist of four (4) prepared selections as listed below:

  • Perform two (2) selections from the traditional jazz or jazz standard repertoire in a swing feel at different tempos; one medium (between 120-180bpm) and one fast swing (minimum 190bpm)  Both of these selections should include at least one chorus of vocal improvisation.  To be performed with live accompaniment (piano alone or rhythm section).
  • Perform one (1) slow tempo ballad, in a straight eighth feel (between 60-80bpm), one time through the form from the traditional jazz or jazz standard repertoire.  To be performed with live accompaniment (piano alone or rhythm section).
  • Perform one (1) selection of your choice form the above or any other style (Latin, Rock, Pop, R&B, Fusion, original compositions, etc.).  This piece may be performed with live, self or recorded accompaniment. 

  Applicants will be asked to demonstrate sight singing ability and aural memory.  A short theory assessment will also be required at the audition. 

  Applicants are encouraged to perform different material from the prescreen selections.  Remember, the purpose of the audition is to learn more about you and therefore new material provides new information! 

  Suggestions or ideas for audition repertoire can be found at standardrepertoire.com or jazzstandards.com/compositions

  An accompanist will be provided for on-campus auditions. Applicant must provide legible lead sheets prepared in his/her/their performance keys. 

  If there are any questions about repertoire, please contact Dr. Kate Reid.