The SPRING 2010 Prepared Material is now online. This audition material also applies if you are auditioning for acceptance into the jazz studies degree, or if you are auditioning for scholarship from the jazz area.

Online Audition Sign-up is now available for Spring 2010 Big Band and Combo Auditions. Click a link to sign-up:

• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 [No Drumset]
• Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 [No Drumset]
• Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 [Drumset Only]

Auditions are required of anyone wishing to obtain the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. For further information on the entrance admission process, see admission procedures. The audition material below may also be used for your jazz entrance auditions.

Ensemble auditions (big band and combo) are a separate process, and are typically held the first few days of class each semester. A link will appear below when the online signup process is open.

Instrumental auditions consist of several elements. Chordal instruments (Guitar, Vibes, Piano), be prepared to also comp through the changes of the below standards. (Vocalists, Bassists and Drummers, see additional requirements below):

1. Sight Reading
   
   
2. Scales - all scales should be performed full range
   • Incoming Freshmen: Major scales in all 12 keys
   • Sophomores: Same as freshman plus natural, melodic, and harmonic minor scales in 12 keys
   • Juniors: Same as sophomores plus bebop scales in 12 keys
   • Seniors and Graduate Students: Same as juniors plus pentatonic scales in 12 keys
3. Prepared material.You will be asked to perform an excerpt from Red Garland'ss solo on "If I Were a Bell" (mm. 192+). This excerpt should be performed and interpreted in a bebop style. The jazz faculty highly recommend you listen to Red Garland perform this solo.
   • Download and print a PDF for your instrument: Concert Pitch Treble Clef [piano, guitar, vibes, voice] - Concert Pitch Bass Clef [trombone, bass] - Eb Saxophones [alto sax, bari sax] - Trumpet, Tenor Sax.
4. Improvisation. You will be asked to improvise over a blues as well as one standard from the following list, accompanied by a Jamey Aebersold recording. The jazz studies director(s) will choose the tune from the following list:
   • Bye Bye Blackbird
   • All the Things You Are
   • I've Got Rhythm (rhythm changes in Bb)
   • Autumn Leaves
   • Blue Bossa
   • What Is This Thing Called Love
   • Someday My Prince Will Come
   • Confirmation

Bassists: We would like you to demonstrate walking over changes to the blues as well as changes to a standard (we will provide at the audition). Also, be prepared to demonstrate a 2-beat feel, Bossa Nova, Samba, and Funk. You should also prepare the items in #3 above.

Drummers: We would like you to demonstrate the following feels:

• Medium swing (sticks and brushes)
• Fast swing (sticks and brushes)
• Bosssa Nova
• Samba
• Funk
• Ballad (w/ brushes)
• 2-beat
• 12/8 Afro-Cuban

In addition, you will be asked to sight-read big-band style charts and demonstrate your ability to set-up figures and play the chart. You will also be asked to trade 8s or 4s with yourself (i.e., 8 bars of time, 8 bars of soloing, etc).

Vocalists wishing to perform in a combo and/or big band: Please be able to perform the items in 1-4 above. Also, come prepared to sing a jazz standard either with or without accompaniment.