Related Links Jazz Piano Degree Sequence Plans How to Apply Jazz Department

Listed below are the audition procedures as well as the various audition requirements/repertoire for each degree level.

Prescreening Procedures

• All jazz applicants are required to submit a CD (no mini disk), with the application for prescreening, in order to receive an invitation to a live audition in New York City. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, but the sound quality must be as good as possible.
• Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section, using a live band or play-along recording.
  
  1. Required piece (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses).
  2. Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection).
  3. Demonstrate "comping" on a standard song of your choice.

Audition Procedures

• Applicants who pass the prescreening portion of the audition will be invited for a live audition in New York City.
  
• All auditions are approximately 10 minutes in length. Each applicant chooses his/her first work, and the faculty will choose a second and possibly third work from the audition repertoire list provided by the applicant.
  
• Rhythm section, amplifiers, and a drum set (without cymbals) will be provided. Applicants must provide music for the trio. Auditioning students may provide their own rhythm section players if they choose.
  
• Play-along recordings are not acceptable for a live audition.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

1. Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section.
   
2. Three different selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos.
   
3. Sight-reading.

Graduate Audition Requirements

1. Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section at a graduate level of advancement.
   
2. Ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos performed from memory.
   
3. Sight-reading.