Jazz Studies (Graduate)

Jazz Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone

• Prepare a solo piece including playing the melody and at least 3 improvised choruses of a jazz standard (any style)
• Prepare at least two blues heads and improvise on the changes
• Prepare the melody to one jazz standard ballad and improvise at least one chorus
• Prepare the melody to one medium swing tempo jazz standard of your choosing and improvise at least one chorus
• Prepare the melody to the jazz standard "All The Things You Are" and improvise at least one chorus
• Prepare the melody to the jazz standard "Oleo" and improvise at least one chorus

Jazz Piano

• One blues head (in F or Bb). Students will be asked to play the melody, then comp (piano and guitar only), and finally improvise on the changes.
• One jazz standard any style. Students will be asked to play the melody, then comp (piano and guitar only), and finally improvise on the changes.
• One rhythm changes tune. Students will be asked to play the melody, then comp (piano and guitar only), and finally improvise on the changes.
• Demonstrate major, jazz melodic minor, harmonic minor and harmonic major scales, diminished, tritone, and augmented scales. Demonstrate all major modes in all keys and blues scales in all keys.

Jazz Drumset auditions consist of the applicant being able to demonstrate their ability to play in the following musical styles:

• 4/4 swing at a variety of tempos
• Funk and rock styles at a variety of tempos
• Samba and bossa nova
• Mambo
• Afro-Cuban 6/8

Additional skills assessed during the Jazz Drumset audition:

• Brush technique
• Waltz and odd meter performance
• Repertoire knowledge

The prospective student should be prepared to discuss previous performance experience, teachers, and method books used in study. If available, the prospective student will have an opportunity to demonstrate the above skills in a performance situation with either a large or small jazz ensemble.

Jazz Guitar

• A complete performance of a jazz ballad, including one chorus of the harmonized melody as well as an improvised single-line solo. Suggested tunes: Chelsea Bridge, But Beautiful, Miyako, For Heaven’s Sake, Estate or any song of the applicant's choice.
• Two jazz tunes in contrasting style, including one Be-bop tune. Each piece should demonstrate a personalized interpretation of the melody, an improvised solo, and one or more choruses of comping. Suggestions for Be- bop tunes include: Au Privave, Joy Spring, Jordu, Yardbird Suite, and Donna Lee. Suggestions for a non Be-bop piece include: Milestones (new version), Giant Steps, Ceora, Moment’s Notice, and One Finger Snap or other.
• One piece of European “classical” music either composed or transcribed for the guitar. This may be an etude or an excerpt from a sonata or suite: Bach cello suites or violin partitas, for example. This may be performed finger style (classical guitar), with a plectrum, or as a combination of the two. As an alternative, an original composition for solo guitar may be substituted.

Jazz Bass

1. Scales:
   
   • Major, and melodic minor scales played arco, in two to three octaves and in all keys.


2. Walking Bass:
   
   • “New York” major blues in four keys. (as is the tune Blues for Alice by Charlie Parker)
   • One of the following up-tempo compositions: Moment’s Notice, Giant Steps, and One Finger Snap.


3. Repertoire:
   
   • Two pieces in contrasting styles, one of which is a Be-bop tune. Demonstrate a personal interpretation of the melody, an improvised solo, one or more choruses of walking bass, and the ability to also accompany in a “two beat” style, with appropriate fills and inflections. Suggestions for Be-bop tunes include: Little Willie Leaps, Milestones (old version/Charlie Parker) Billie’s Donna Lee, Tricotism, and Joy Spring. Suggestions for non Be-bop tunes include Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum,Nefertiti, Beatrice, and Dolphin Dance.

Arranger/composer applicants must complete additional requirements that consist of:

• Show a portfolio of your arrangements/compositions at your audition as well as recordings of those works
• Demonstrate the ability to harmonize a lead-line using 4-part closed position voicings and 4-way drop-two voicings
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of transpositions and ranges of instruments found in a contemporary jazz setting