Jazz Performance Audition Requirements

Entrance auditions are required of anyone wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Music Jazz Performance degree. Below is a list of audition materials for your jazz entrance audition:

• You will be asked to play all 12 major scales full range on your instrument.
• Sight-reading of selected jazz styles.
• You will be asked to improvise, accompanied by a Jamey Aebersold play-a-long recording, on a 12 bar blues in the key of C, F, or Bb and one standard selected from the following list:
  • All The Things You Are
  • Blue Bossa
  • Autumn Leaves
  • Bye Bye Blackbird
  • Some Day My Prince Will Come

Rhythm section chordal instruments should be also be prepared to "comp" the changes on the blues and selected standard, and bass players will be asked to walk lines on the blues and selected standard.

Drummers, in addition to sight-reading a big-band chart, be prepared to demonstrate the following "grooves:"

• Medium swing
• Fast swing
• Bossa Nova
• Samba
• Funk
• 12/8 Afro-cuban
• Ballad (w/brushes

Note

All incoming undergraduate students wanting to audition for a music major must also take the theory entrance exam.