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Jazz bass applicants are required to submit a video recording for either acoustic or electric bass to be considered for an invitation to a live audition. Applicants wishing to be considered for both acoustic and electric should submit two applications and submit separate recordings for each.
The audition repertoire should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section, using a live band. Recordings must include the repertoire listed below and be uploaded directly to the application.
Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. Original compositions should not be included. Recordings of live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
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A basic theory test will be given prior to the scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. You will choose the first work and the faculty will choose a second and possibly third work from the repertoire you have prepared.
A bass may be available for the audition upon request. Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the drum set and piano players. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
Please note: Jazz Composition is only offered at the Graduate (MM) level.
Composition Review Requirements Jazz composition applicants must submit scores and edited recordings of at least four large ensemble pieces. At least one of these pieces should be for studio orchestra or a chamber-sized ensemble. At least one of the four pieces must include a vocal part or a vocal ensemble. One MIDI-realized work is optional.
A single 10- to 12-minute edited recording containing all submitted pieces should be uploaded to your application. The recordings should include only the written (composed) portions of the work; improvised sections are not to be included. PDF copies of each of the scores represented should also be uploaded to the application. You may submit other scores as well.
Performance Review Requirements Jazz composition applicants must also upload a video of their playing to their application. This recording must include the 12-bar blues piece Billie’s Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses) and two additional pieces in contrasting styles, tempos, and keys. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. The recording must demonstrate an ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section. Recordings of live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
The audition consists of an exam and an interview that take place over a two-day period. There is no performance component of the live audition.
Exam Composition applicants will be scheduled to take a three-hour written entrance examination on various theoretical and practical matters pertaining to musical composition. A piano will be provided for use during this exam. This written test also includes a composition assignment.
Interview An interview will be scheduled following the written examination. Applicants should be prepared to present their composition assignment from the written exam as well as a selection of their compositions. These selections may be the same pieces submitted for prescreening. All scores should be presented in hard copy. Recordings of the selected compositions should be presented alongside the scores using either a CD or a device that can be patched into a stereo system (iPhone, MP3 player, laptop, etc.).
Jazz drum set applicants are required to submit a video recording that includes the repertoire below.
Recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should 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. Sticks and brushes should be clearly distinguishable on the recording. Original compositions should not be included. Recordings of live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. You will choose a first work and the faculty will choose a second and possibly third work from the repertoire you have prepared.
Drum set (without cymbals) will be provided for the auditions. Applicants must bring their own cymbals, drumsticks, and hi-hat clutch. Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the bass and piano players. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
All jazz guitar applicants are required to submit a video recording for prescreening purposes to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
The recording must include the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses) and three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection). Applicants must also demonstrate “comping” on a standard song of their choice. Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section using a live band.
Original compositions should not be included. Recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. Recordings of live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
Amplifiers will be provided in the audition room. Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the drum set, bass, and piano players. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
All jazz piano applicants are required to submit a video recording to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
The recording must include the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses) and three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection). You must also demonstrate “comping” behind a soloist on at least one of these selections. Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section using a live band.
All Jazz Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute applicants are required to submit a video recording in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
The recording must include the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses) and three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection). Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section using a live band.
Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the drum set, bass, and piano players. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
All Jazz Trombone applicants are required to submit a video recording in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
All Jazz Trumpet and Horn applicants are required to submit a video recording in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
A basic theory test will be given prior to scheduled audition time (will take approximately 15 minutes).
All Jazz Vibraphone applicants are required to submit a video recording for in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
Original compositions should not be included. Recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. Live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
All Violin, Violin, and Cello applicants are required to submit a video recording for in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
Please note: Jazz Voice is only offered at the Graduate (MM) & Doctoral (DMA) levels.
All Jazz Voice applicants are required to submit a video recording in order to be considered for an invitation to a live audition.
Original compositions should not be included. Recordings must be uploaded directly to your application. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. Live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant. Repertoire for the prescreening recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section using a live band.
A microphone and amplifier will be provided in the audition room. Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the drum set, bass, and piano players. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
All of the prescreening requirements plus:
Admission to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program is based on prescreening recordings, an audition before the faculty of the candidate’s major department, the results of a two-hour written examination in jazz history and theory, and an interview with the doctoral committee. Students for whom English is not their first language are required to take the MSM English Assessment. These auditions and interviews occur over a two-day period.
Composition Prescreening Jazz DMA applicants are required to submit copies of two scores and recordings of large ensemble compositions. At least one score must be for big band. The other score may be for any ensemble larger than an octet. At least one recording must be a live performance. The other can be a MIDI realization. Applicants should upload audio recordings and PDFs scores directly to the application.
Performance Prescreening Jazz Arts DMA applicants must upload video recordings that demonstrate the ability to perform at a high artistic and professional level, using a live band. Recordings should include three selections performed in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos and be uploaded directly to the application.
Original compositions should not be included. Recordings must be uploaded directly to the application. Professional or studio recordings are not required, but the sound quality should be as good as possible. Live performances are acceptable only if they are edited to feature the applicant.
Applicants must complete the composition, performance, and pedagogy audition requirements on the first day of their scheduled audition. Applicants may be called back for the exams and interview on a second day.
Applicants must bring any three of the following scores to their audition in hard copy along with a CD of at least two of the selections:
Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section at a professional level of advancement. Prepare ten selections (including two ballads) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos to be performed from memory.
Jazz DMA auditions are approximately 30 minutes in length. You will choose a first work and the faculty will choose remaining works from the repertoire you have prepared.
Amplifiers will be provided in the audition room for guitar and voice applicants. A drum set with no cymbals will be provided for jazz drum set applicants. Drum set applicants should provide their own cymbals, drumsticks, and hi-hat clutch. A bass may be available for jazz bass applicants upon request.
Rhythm section players will be provided to accompany the live audition. Applicants must provide music for the rhythm section. Play-along recordings are not acceptable for the live auditions.
You will present to the faculty panel a written outline for a one-hour lecture or master class on a topic of your choice. From that outline, you will present a 20-minute sample lecture that demonstrates your teaching skills. You will specify the target audience as either Kindergarten through 8th grade, high school, undergraduate, or graduate ability and experience. Available resources for this component include audio equipment, whiteboard, and a piano. Any handouts must be prepared, copied, and collated in advance of the sample lecture.
If invited to the second day of the audition process, Jazz DMA applicants will complete the following:
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