The Bachelor of Music in Performance (Jazz Concentration) is a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree program with a focus on Jazz Studies. Currently, the following performance areas may audition for this program:
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Guitar-Jazz
- Piano
- Bass
- Drum Set
Note: Students applying for the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Jazz Concentration) must schedule two audition sessions on their instrument. The first audition is with the applied faculty. Please prepare the audition requirements listed under their performance area (e.g., trumpet, double bass, etc.). On the second audition, the student will prepare the audition requirements listed below.
Example: If you are a prospective trumpet student applying for the Bachelor of Music in Performance (Jazz Studies) program, you will audition once with Dr. James Stokes for your trumpet audition in the morning of the audition day. Then, you will perform a second audition in the afternoon with our jazz faculty to demonstrate your jazz proficiency. Please review the Jazz Studies audition requirements below.
All Instruments (except drumset):
Techniques:
- All major scales, in 8th notes at quarter note = 100 BPM. These may be swung or straight 8th notes.
(updated September 2024)
Repertoire*:
- Perform and Improvise over Billie’s Bounce (Blues in F) at Quarter Note = 154
- Perform and Improvise over All the Things You Are (A flat) at Quarter Note = 132
- Perform and Improvise over Triste (B flat) at Quarter Note = 176
Sight-reading:
- Perform a short excerpt from a big band score provided by the audition panel. The sight reading repertoire will come from the standard big band repertoire, such as Count Basie.
Rhythm Section Instruments
Piano/Guitar/Double Bass: Perform the required tunes (see repertoire above) in the following manner:
- Piano: Play the melody once through the form, accompany (comp with chords) once through the form, and improvise once through the form.
- Guitar: Play the melody once through the form, accompany (comp with chords) once through the form, and improvise once through the form. (Tablature is not permitted.) An Amplifier will be provided.
- Double Bass: Play the melody once through the form, walk a bass line once through the form (or play in the bossa style for Triste), and improvise once through the form. One selection may be on the electric bass. An amplifier will be provided.
Drumset:
A complete drum set is provided, including snare, bass, two toms, hi hat, and ride cymbal. Auditionees are welcome to bring their snare, cymbals, and bass drum beater, but this is unnecessary and may cut into audition time. Auditionees are expected to bring their own sticks, brushes, and mallets.
On the drumset*:
- Demonstrate Funk and Rock styles at quarter note = 85 bpm.
- 4/4 swing at quarter note = 120 once through the form of All the Things You Are using brushes.
- 4/4 swing at quarter note = 240 bpm three times through the form of Billie’s Bounce using sticks; one chorus groove, two choruses of trading fours (alternate groove and solo over the form every four measures).
- Demonstrate Bossa Nova style at quarter note = 132 over Triste once through the form.
*a backing track will be available