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 purposes, 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.
- Required piece (must be first on the recording):
the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium
tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in
different jazz styles, moods, and tempos (minimum of two improvised
choruses for each selection).
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
- Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section.
- Three different selections (one must be a ballad)
in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos.
- Sight-reading.
Graduate Audition Requirements
- Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section
at a graduate level of advancement.
- Ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles,
moods, and tempos performed from memory.
- Sight-reading.
