Jazz Studies Audition Requirements

Jazz Bass

• Play the melody (head), a stylistically appropriate bass line, and improvise a solo on:
  • A blues from typical jazz repertoire (medium or up-tempo swing)- for example: Billie’s Bounce or Straight, No Chaser, etc.
  • A standard jazz tune (medium or up-tempo swing)- for example, Take The ‘A” Train or Autumn Leaves, etc.
  • A tune in a Bossa Nova, Samba, or Straight 8th-note feel, for example: Blue Bossa or Song For My Father, etc.

If you are auditioning in-person, you will play with UNC Jazz faculty and/or students. For video auditions, these can be recorded live with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument), or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

• Perform a jazz etude such as those in “Jazz Conception” by Jim Snidero or “Jazz and Funk Etudes” by Bob Mintzer, or similar.
  • Submit a video of this (whether you are auditioning in-person or via video).
• Major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales, 2 octaves (3 different keys of your choice).
  • Submit a video of this (whether you are auditioning in-person or via video).

Electric Bass

• Students intending to focus on jazz while pursuing either BA, BM-Business, BM- composition, or BME degree programs may choose electric bass as a main instrument. In this case, applicants should follow the audition requirements for Jazz Bass listed above. 
• Students intending to pursue the BM- Jazz Studies degree may audition on electric bass, but should understand that studying the acoustic double bass will be the primary focus in that degree program.

• Perform something in a jazz style, i.e. solo arrangement of a jazz tune or transcription.
• Play the melody, improvise a solo, and comp changes on:
  • A blues (medium swing ex. “Billie’s Bounce”)
  • A standard tune from the jazz repertoire (med-up tempo)
• Perform selected major and minor scales in 3 octaves.
• Sight-reading.

Undergraduate Degrees and Graduate Performance Certificate

On-Campus Audition

• Please submit video recordings of the following prior to your on-campus audition. You can submit these to our PVA Admissions office at pva.admissions@unco.edu.

• Rudimental Snare Drum Etude.
• Suggested repertoire includes one etude from The All-American Drummer by Charles Wilcoxon, 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum by John S. Pratt, or something similar. 

• Mallet Etude (This is not required but strongly encouraged) Two or Four mallet. 
• Suggested repertoire includes an etude from Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba,Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg, a jazz melody from The Real Book, or something similar. 

• Video Recordings Demonstrating Your Drum Set Playing.  
• This could include performances with a small combo, big band, or playing with backing tracks. You are encouraged to send recordings demonstrating various styles such as rock, Latin, and funk.  
• When auditioning on campus, you will select 3 or 4 jazz standards in various styles (swing, Latin etc.) to play with the Jazz Studies faculty. Please be prepared to trade 4s, 8s, and solo over the tune form. Please bring lead sheets of your selected tunes to your audition. You will also do a short interview. If you are not able to audition on-campus, please send video recordings of all the above via the School of Music application portal.

Video Audition 

• If it is not possible to audition on campus, please submit video recordings of all audition requirements above via the application portal. This includes performances with a small combo, demonstrating various styles and soloing over the tune form. Playing with backing tracks is acceptable. You are also encouraged to send big band recordings, if possible. You can submit these via the School of Music application portal. 

Undergraduate Degrees and Graduate Performance Certificate

• Prepare three contrasting pieces from the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody, improvise over the form, and demonstrate the ability to comp over the changes. One of these pieces should be solo piano, the others can be done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• Prepare a recording of a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form, done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• OPTIONAL: Prepare a performance of an original composition.

Prepare the following for your audition:

• Three Major scales (applicant’s choice), two octaves ascending and descending.
• Two contrasting selections from standard jazz repertoire- play the head and improvise on the form for three choruses.
• Play a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form (four choruses).
  • The above can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.
• A classical selection that demonstrates technical and musical proficiency.
• A jazz etude or transcription. For transcriptions, play along with the original recording. Etudes can be performed alone or with accompanying backing track as appropriate.

OPTIONAL additions:

• The applicant may play short excerpts on doubles if they wish.
• Applicants may show original jazz compositions.

• Selected major and minor scales in 2 octaves  
• 3 contrasting jazz standards*, play the head and improvise for 2 additional choruses in the following styles:  
  • Blues 
  • Medium/up-tempo swing 
  • 1 contrasting style: ballad, Latin, funk/groove, etc. 
• 1 jazz etude (Gale 24 Jazz Etudes, Nightingale 20 Jazz Etudes, etc.) 
• Possible sight-reading 
• OPTIONAL: classical selection (technical etude, movement from a solo, etc.) 
• OPTIONAL: original composition.  

*Combo accompaniment is required for all jazz standards. Accompaniment can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) pre-recorded, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

• Prepare two contrasting pieces form the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody and improvise over the form.
• Play a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form.
  • The above can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.
• Prepare a transcription or etude that demonstrates the applicant’s musical capabilities. For transcriptions, play along with the original recording. Etudes can be performed alone or with accompanying backing track as appropriate.
• Optional: Prepare a lead trumpet excerpt or other excerpt(s) that showcase commercial/lead/classical skillset.

Undergraduate Jazz Voice – Performance and Music Education

• Prepare a performance of a solo “transcription” by singing along with the original recording of an improvised solo by a jazz vocalist or instrumentalist.. Match the melodic, rhythmic and stylistic content of the solo as much as possible. Examples of acceptable artists for the source for your transcription: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Jon Hendricks, Dianne Reeves, Nancy King, Kurt Elling, Bobby McFerrin, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, JJ Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Clifford Brown, Stan Getz.
• Prepare two jazz songs with accompaniment (see below). One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include one chorus of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

Undergraduate Jazz Voice – Music Business

• Prepare two jazz songs with accompaniment (see below). One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include one chorus of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Certificate

• Prepare the following for your audition:
  • Perform five selections in contrasting styles and tempos, focusing on standard tunes (“Great American Songbook”) and jazz compositions (songs by jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, etc.). One original composition may be included. Play the melody, appropriate bass lines/styles, and solo on each song. 
• If you are auditioning in-person, you will play with UNC Jazz faculty and/or students. For video auditions, these can be recorded live with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument), or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro. 

Doctor of Arts

• Prepare the following for your audition:
  • Perform five selections in contrasting styles and tempos, focusing on standard tunes (“Great American Songbook”) and jazz compositions (songs by jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, etc.). One original composition may be included. Play the melody, appropriate bass lines/styles, and solo on each song. 
• If you are auditioning in-person, you will play with UNC Jazz faculty and/or students. For video auditions, these can be recorded live with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument), or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro. 

Master of Music

• Prescreen
  • Upload to the application a video of the applicant performing a solo chord-melody piece.
• For MM applicants, either an on campus audition or an audition recording is required (an on campus audition is preferred and recommended).
• All graduate student applicants will perform with a rhythm section consisting of jazz faculty. Applicants should be prepared to perform three contrasting jazz pieces.
• Applicants may be asked to sight-read.
• Recorded auditions: (If no on campus auditions can be arranged)
  • Three contrasting jazz pieces

Additional Application Requirements for MM

• Upload a video of the applicant performing a solo chord-melody piece with the application.

Doctor of Arts

• Prescreen
  • Upload to the application a video of the applicant performing a solo chord-melody piece.
• All graduate student applicants will perform with a rhythm section consisting of jazz faculty. Applicants should be prepared to perform three contrasting jazz pieces.
• Applicants may be asked to sight-read.

Additional Application Requirements for DA

• Upload a video of the applicant performing a solo chord-melody piece with the application.

Graduate Performance Certificate

On-Campus Audition

• Please submit video recordings of the following prior to your on-campus audition. You can submit these to our PVA Admissions office at pva.admissions@unco.edu.

• Rudimental Snare Drum Etude.
• Suggested repertoire includes one etude from The All-American Drummer by Charles Wilcoxon, 14 Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum by John S. Pratt, or something similar. 

• Mallet Etude (This is not required but strongly encouraged) Two or Four mallet. 
• Suggested repertoire includes an etude from Modern School for Xylophone, Marimba,Vibraphone by Morris Goldenberg, a jazz melody from The Real Book, or something similar. 

• Video Recordings Demonstrating Your Drum Set Playing.  
• This could include performances with a small combo, big band, or playing with backing tracks. You are encouraged to send recordings demonstrating various styles such as rock, Latin, and funk.  
• When auditioning on campus, you will select 3 or 4 jazz standards in various styles (swing, Latin etc.) to play with the Jazz Studies faculty. Please be prepared to trade 4s, 8s, and solo over the tune form. Please bring lead sheets of your selected tunes to your audition. You will also do a short interview. If you are not able to audition on-campus, please send video recordings of all the above via the School of Music application portal.

Video Audition 

• If it is not possible to audition on campus, please submit video recordings of all audition requirements above via the application portal. This includes performances with a small combo, demonstrating various styles and soloing over the tune form. Playing with backing tracks is acceptable. You are also encouraged to send big band recordings, if possible. You can submit these via the School of Music application portal. 

Master of Music and Doctor of Arts

Video Recordings

• Please submit video recordings demonstrating your drum set playing prior to your on-campus audition. This includes performances with a small combo, demonstrating various styles and soloing over the tune form. Playing with backing tracks is acceptable. You are also encouraged to send big band recordings, if possible. You can submit these via the School of Music application portal.

On-Campus audition

• Select 3 or 4 jazz standards in various styles (swing, Latin etc.) to play with the Jazz Studies faculty. Please be prepared to trade 4s, 8s, and solo over the tune form. You may also play an original composition, but this is not required. Please bring lead sheets of your selected tunes to your audition. You will also do a short interview. If you are not able to audition on-campus, please submit video recordings of all the above via the School of Music application portal. 

Graduate Performance Certificate

• Prepare three contrasting pieces from the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody, improvise over the form, and demonstrate the ability to comp over the changes. One of these pieces should be solo piano, the others can be done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• Prepare a recording of a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form, done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• OPTIONAL: Prepare a performance of an original composition.

Master of Music and Doctor of Arts

• Prepare four contrasting pieces from the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody, improvise over the form, and demonstrate the ability to comp over the changes. One of these pieces should be solo piano, the others can be done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• Prepare a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form, done with other musicians (drums and bass) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold.
• OPTIONAL: Prepare a performance of an original composition.

Master of Music, Doctor of Arts and Graduate Performance Certificate

• Prepare the following for your audition:
  • Three contrasting selections from standard jazz repertoire- play the head and improvise on the form for four choruses.
  • Play a medium or up-tempo blues and improvise over the form (six choruses).
    • The above can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.
  • A transcription of an improvised solo by an influential jazz saxophonist. Play along with the original recording.
• OPTIONAL additions:
  • The applicant may play short excerpts on doubles if they wish.
  • Applicants may show original jazz compositions.

Master of Music and Graduate Performance Certificate

• 4 contrasting jazz standards*, play head & improvise for 3 additional choruses in any of the various styles: 
  • Medium/up-tempo swing (required) 
  • Bossa Nova 
  • Samba 
  • Blues 
  • Funk/groove 
  • Salsa 
  • 1 original composition of any style (required) 
• 1 solo transcription by a jazz trombonist, played with the original recording. 
• Classical selection (technical etude, movement from a solo, etc.). 
• Possible sight-reading. 

*Combo accompaniment is required for all jazz standards. Accompaniment can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) pre-recorded, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro. 

Doctor of Arts

• 6 contrasting jazz standards*, play the head & improvise for 4 additional choruses in various styles: 
  • Medium/up-tempo swing (required) 
  • Bossa Nova 
  • Samba 
  • Blues 
  • Funk/groove 
  • Salsa 
  • 2 original compositions of contrasting styles (required) 
• 2 contrasting solo transcriptions by different soloists, played with the original recordings. 
• Short classical solo or etude. 
• Possible sight-reading. 

*Combo accompaniment is required for all jazz standards. Accompaniment can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) pre-recorded, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro. 

Master of Music

• Prepare three contrasting pieces form the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody and improvise over the form.
  • This can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.
• Prepare a transcription or etude that demonstrates the applicant’s musical capabilities. For transcriptions, play along with the original recording. Etudes can be performed alone or with accompanying backing track as appropriate.
• Optional: Prepare a lead trumpet excerpt or other excerpt(s) that showcase commercial/lead/classical skillset.

Doctor of Arts and Graduate Performance Certificate

• Prepare three contrasting pieces form the standard jazz repertoire. Play the melody and improvise over the form
  • This can be done with other musicians (drums, bass, and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.
• Prepare a transcription or etude that demonstrates the applicant’s musical capabilities. For transcriptions, play along with the original recording. Etudes can be performed alone or with accompanying backing track as appropriate.
• Optional: Prepare a lead trumpet excerpt or other excerpt(s) that showcase commercial/lead/classical skillset.

Master of Music and Doctor of Arts

• Prepare a performance of a solo “transcription” by singing along with a recording of an originally improvised solo by a jazz vocalist or instrumentalist. Match the melodic, rhythmic and stylistic content of the solo as much as possible.
• Prepare three jazz songs. One selection should be performed in a swing style and should include two choruses of improvised scat singing. A second selection should be in a ballad style/tempo, singing through the full form once, then returning to the half-way point of the form and singing to the end in a more embellished manner, improvising on the original melody. A third selection should be in a style/tempo that contrasts with the first two selections, and may optionally be in a bossa-nova, samba, funk, pop or R&B style. You may wish to use your third selection to highlight any particular stylistic vocal skills that you feel allow to you stand out. These can be done with other musicians (drums and a comping instrument) either recorded live or remotely, or with backing tracks such as those by Jamey Aebersold or on iRealPro.

Master of Music

• Upload to the application/admission portal a Jazz Composition Portfolio
  • All representative work must be prepared in computer notation format (Finale or Sibelius, exported to PDF), and be accompanied by a recording (audio of live performance in mp3 format) submitted in electronic format. MIDI performance is accepted, but live performance is strongly preferred. Submit the following:
    • two pieces for modern jazz big band in two different styles, preferably one arrangement and one composition.
    • two pieces for rhythm section and at least three horns, preferably one arrangement and one composition.

**Composition portfolio recordings will be uploaded as part of our application portfolio, prior to submission. The accompanying scores will be uploaded via your admission portal.** 

Performance audition on your respective instrument

The requirements for the on-campus audition are as follows:

• All graduate student applicants will perform with a rhythm section consisting of jazz faculty.
• Applicants should be prepared to perform three contrasting jazz pieces. Applicants may be asked to sight-read and demonstrate basic piano comping skills.
• If the applicant is unable to make an on-campus audition, please submit 3 videos of you performing on your instrument or voice.
  • Include one uptempo (q=240 or faster) jazz standard
  • Include one ballad jazz standard
  • Include one piece of your choice.
• Additionally, demonstrate your level of piano comping skills by playing half-note chords to the A and B section of “Misty”, using the left hand in the bass register, and using your right hand to play 4 note voicings.

Doctor of Arts

• Upload to the application/admission portal a Jazz Composition Portfolio
  • All representative work must be prepared in computer notation format (Finale or Sibelius, exported to PDF), accompanied by a recording (audio of live performance in mp3 format) submitted in electronic format. MIDI performance is accepted, but live performance is strongly preferred. Submit the following:
    • three pieces for modern jazz big band in two different styles (preferably one arrangement and two compositions)
    • two pieces for rhythm section and at least three horns (preferably one arrangement and one composition)
    • at least one (preferably two) compositions for rhythm section and more than three horns/voice, vocal ensemble, or orchestral writing (strings, orch winds, etc.)
    • upload to the admission portal a list of completed works.
      • Compile a complete list of all arrangements and compositions you have written that have been performed live or recorded, noting the instrumentation, the presence of a commission, or a professional recording.

**Composition portfolio recordings will be uploaded as part of our application portfolio, prior to submission. The accompanying scores will be uploaded via your admission portal.**

Performance audition on your respective instrument

The requirements for the on-campus audition are as follows:

• All graduate student applicants will perform with a rhythm section consisting of jazz faculty. Applicants should be prepared to perform three contrasting jazz pieces.
• Applicants may be asked to sight-read and demonstrate basic piano comping skills.
• If the applicant is unable to make an on-campus audition, please submit 3 videos of you performing on your instrument or voice.
  • Include one uptempo (q=240 or faster) jazz standard
  • Include one ballad jazz standard
  • Include one piece of your choice.
• Additionally, demonstrate your level of piano comping skills by playing half-note chords to the A and B section of “Misty”, using the left hand in the bass register, and using your right hand to play 4 note voicings.