Audition & Program Requirements

Bachelor of Music: Jazz Studies (All Instruments)

Prescreening required; must be video recording. If the applicant is unable to record prescreening with live musicians, please use the backing tracks linked below.  

Fall 2023 Audition Dates: 

Early Decision: November 14 ||| Regular Decision: February 8-10

Fall 2023 Audition Formats

Applicants will have the option to audition on campus or virtually. On-campus auditions are strongly encouraged. Those auditioning in person should prepare the repertoire found below.  
 
For those unable to audition on campus, a two-part virtual audition option is available (note: applicants must pass the prescreening round in order to move ahead with the virtual audition round): 

  1. Submit a recorded audition via the Portfolio section of your Bienen School Supplement. After submitting your Bienen School Supplement and Common/Coalition Application and receiving your prescreening results (if applicable), you will receive an email that includes a link to the specific recorded audition repertoire requirements and video duration specifications. The recorded audition deadline is November 15 for the Early Decision round and February 1 for Regular Decision. Repertoire requirements will be pulled from the audition requirements found on this page. Applicants must record their audition with a live combo or the backing tracks linked below. 
  2. Complete a 10-minute Zoom meeting with faculty. Information on the meeting format will be available via the aforementioned email. The meeting may include playing, but applicants will not need to have backing tracks or a live combo ready to accompany them at the Zoom meeting. Any playing will be a cappella. Applicants will receive their Zoom link 3-5 days before the meeting.
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For Prescreening and Final Audition:

  • Trumpet, saxophone, and trombone players will perform with piano (or guitar), bass, and drums.

  • Guitarists will perform with piano, bass, and drums.

  • Pianists will perform with bass and drums.

  • Bassists will perform with piano (or guitar) and drums.

  • Drummers will perform with piano (or guitar) and bass.

Choose one song from each of the categories and be prepared to perform the song’s melody and improvise a solo on the chord changes of the song. Rhythm section instruments should demonstrate the ability to accompany a soloist.

All songs are listed in concert key:

Rhythm Changes

  • Duke Ellington, Perdido, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 224
  • Charlie Parker, Anthropology, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 180
  • Sonny Rollins, Oleo, Bb Major, approx. quarter note = 220

Blues

Ballads

Waltz

Drummers only

In addition to the selections listed above, drummers should prepare the following grooves:

  • Afro-Cuban 6/8 groove

  • Shuffle groove with backbeat

  • Swing groove with brushes (slow, medium, and fast)

  • Swing groove with sticks (slow, medium, and fast)

Other Degrees

Master of Music: Jazz Studies