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Jazz

Admission & Auditions

Department of Music audition requirements for jazz instruments are as follows.

Winds: Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone

Perform at least one prepared piece (melody and improvisation) of your choice from the recommended repertoire below, as well as improvise on a blues in the concert key of B-flat, F, or C. In addition, you will be asked to perform major scales and sight-read a short jazz excerpt.

Recommended Repertoire:

  • Sonny Rollins - "Tenor Madness"
  • Sonny Rollins - "Pent-Up House"
  • Thelonius Monk - "Blue Monk"
  • Duke Ellington - "Satin Doll"
  • Duke Ellington - "Take the A Train"
  • Herbie Hancock - "Maiden Voyage"
  • George Gershwin - "Summertime"

If you have any questions about jazz repertoire for brass instruments, please contact Dr. Andrew Alcocer.

If you have any questions about jazz repertoire for woodwind instruments, please contact Dr. Gabriel Sánchez Porras.

Jazz Piano

Be able to play (melody and improvisation) two prepared pieces of contrasting style and improvise on a blues progression in the concert key of B-flat, F, or C. In addition, you will be asked to perform major and minor scales, arpeggios, and to sight-read grand staff and chord charts.

Recommended Repertoire:

  • John Coltrane - "Impressions"
  • Charlie Parker - "Now's the Time"
  • Sonny Rollins - "Tenor Madness"
  • Sonny Rollins - "Pent-Up House"
  • Thelonius Monk - "Blue Monk"
  • Duke Ellington - "Satin Doll"
  • Duke Ellington - "Take the A Train"
  • Herbie Hancock - "Maiden Voyage"
  • George Gershwin - "Summertime"

If you have any questions about jazz piano repertoire, please contact Dr. Paolo Gualdi.

Jazz Bass

Jazz Bass applicants are required to demonstrate skills in a variety of styles including walking bass, latin/bossa nova, funk, and rock. Reading standard music notation is mandatory.

Repertoire:

  • Walking bass over standard blues changes in F, C, and G major.
  • Play melody to Billies Bounce (Parker) or Tenor Madness (Rollins).
  • Play bossa nova bassline over Blue Bossa (Dorham)
  • Play selection of auditioners choice.

If you have any questions about jazz bass repertoire, please contact Mr. Taylor Lee.

Jazz Guitar

Applicants must be prepared to perform the following:

  • Play (with correct melody, chord changes and improvisation) at least one prepared piece (of your choice, from the recommended repertoire)
  • Improvise on a jazz blues progression in the concert key of B-flat, F, or C
  • Play selected major and minor scales in two octaves
  • Sight-read intermediate level music.

Recommended Repertoire:

  • John Coltrane - "Impressions"
  • Charlie Parker - "Now's the Time"
  • Sonny Rollins - "Tenor Madness"
  • Sonny Rollins - "Pent-Up House"
  • Thelonius Monk - "Blue Monk"
  • Duke Ellington - "Satin Doll"
  • Duke Ellington - "Take the A Train"
  • Herbie Hancock - "Maiden Voyage"
  • George Gershwin - "Summertime"

If you have any questions about jazz guitar repertoire, please contact Mr. Jesse Killman.

Drum Set

Jazz drum set applicants will demonstrate a variety of styles applicable to the jazz idiom including:

  • Medium Swing quarter = 110-130; Bossa Nova quarter = 130-150; Funk/Rock quarter = 90-110
  • Optional: Ballad (w/ brushes) quarter = 65-80; Up-tempo Swing quarter = 220-250

Perform at least one prepared piece showcasing knowledge of the jazz idiom, including playing over a form, comping, and improvisation. Play-a-long recordings are encouraged including but not limited to the repertoire listed below. The audition will also include sight-reading within the context of a big band chart.

Recommended Repertoire:

  • John Riley - Selections from The Art of Bop Drumming
  • Tom Morgan - The Jazz Drummer's Reading Workbook
  • Steve Houghton and Tom Warrington - Essential Styles, Vol. 1 & 2
  • Steve Houghton - The Drum Set Soloist

 If you have any questions about jazz drum set repertoire, please contact Mr. Jonathan Hill.