Precollege Admission

• Three contrasting pieces (no arrangements or transcriptions)
• Two major and two minor scales and arpeggios of the applicant’s choice
• Applicants may be required to sight-read

• Three contrasting pieces
• Two major and minor scales and arpeggios of the applicant’s choice

• Two contrasting pieces
• Two major and two minor scales and arpeggios of the applicant’s choice
• Clarinet students may be required to sight-read

• Three contrasting songs, one of which must be in English

• Three contrasting pieces in PDF format

• Chamber Music auditions are for assessing sight reading ability.

• Students auditioning for Senior Select Chorus will be asked to sing in a group choral setting at the time of their audition, which will entail some sight-reading. In addition, the student should bring a prepared vocal piece which may be heard at the discretion of the choral directors in attendance. Placement in a chorus is determined by ability and age.

• Orchestra auditions are held separately from primary instrument auditions. Assignments to orchestras are made by the Precollege Administration in consultation with conductors, and are based on audition and availability of positions in the orchestra. The placement decision is final.

• Students auditioning for a vocal ensemble will be asked to sing two contrasting pieces at the time of their auditions.  The objective is to demonstrate the applicant’s level of proficiency, both musically and technically, in singing standard repertoire. Students will be placed by audition. A placement is not guaranteed.

Prepared selection: Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” — medium tempo with standard or alternate chord changes. Include at least three choruses of improvisation. Accompanists will be provided.

Billie’s Bounce in C
Billie’s Bounce in Bb
Billie’s Bounce in Eb

Improvisation: Play a jazz classic or standard song in any jazz style. You must include at least three choruses of improvisation. The selection is your choice, and composers to consider are Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, George Gershwin, Tito Puente, Wayne Shorter, etc. Accompanists will be provided.

Scales: Concert B-flat and F major. Play scales to highest possible range up and down. Tempo: quarter-note=60 and quarter-note=120. Play one scale staccato and one scale legato.

Sight Reading: Applicants may be required to sight-read.

Prepared selection: Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” — medium tempo with standard or alternate chord changes. Include at least three choruses of improvisation. Accompanists will be provided.

Billie’s Bounce in C (Treble Clef)
Billie’s Bounce in C (Bass Clef)

BASS ONLY: WALK at least two choruses of “Billie’s Bounce” as well as improvise.

Chords: Demonstrate all basic chords: major, minor, etc.

Improvisation: Play a jazz classic or standard song in any jazz style. You must include at least three choruses of improvisation. Accompanists will be provided.

Comping (GUITAR): Demonstrate comping: Rhythm guitar style and standard regular comping.

Sight Reading: Applicants may be required to sight-read.

Play jazz time: slow, medium, fast on two choruses of 12-bar blues form. Accompanists will be provided.

Demonstrate time in: waltz, rock, Latin, ballad, and brushes. Play on song forms (2 choruses) or vamps (at least 2 minutes each style).

SOLO (improvisation): different styles: jazz, rock, waltz, Latin, and in all tempos.

Play the “Billie’s Bounce” blues choruses: 2 choruses of time, 2 choruses of trading 4s, 2 choruses of solo, repeat chorus of time. Accompanists will be provided.

Billie’s Bounce in C

Demonstrate on Latin instruments, if possible, including bongos and conga.

Sight Reading: Applicants may be required to sight-read.

Prepared selection: A lyrical melody selected from the songbooks of composers such as Gershwin, Ellington, Arlen, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Berlin, etc. Please bring a lead sheet of your chosen selection in the key in which you wish to sing. An accompanist will be provided.

Milt Jackson’s “Bags’ Groove”: Be prepared to scat sing over 12-bar blues chord changes. An accompanist will be provided.

Bags’ Groove in C
Bags’ Groove in D
Bags’ Groove in Eb
Bags’ Groove in F

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