Pre-Screen Recording
All Jazz and Commercial Majors must submit a pre-screening audition CD (preferred) or DVD. Applicants who pass the pre-screen audition will be invited to perform a live audition on a regular audition date. Recordings do not need to be professional or studio recordings, a CD or DVD with good audio quality is sufficient. Repertoire for the pre-screening must demonstrate the ability to perform well on the instrument and to improvise and play with a rhythm section, using a live band or play-along recording. Recordings will not be returned. Audition materials received after the deadlines listed below will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Pre-Screen Requirements
- Perform the melody and improvise on your choice of three songs, one from each category in the Jazz Audition Song List (Jazz Standard, Latin Jazz, and Jazz Ballad)
- Perform all of the Area Specific Requirements for each area of study found below, including the classical piece
- Improvise on Blues in F.
NOTE: All Bachelor of Music majors in the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program must declare a principal instrument and audition for entrance on that instrument.
Pre-Screening Deadlines
Early Action: Submit audition by October 15, 2009
Regular Action: Submit by January 15, 2010
Live Audition
Applicants who pass the pre-screening portion of the audition will be invited for a live audition in Denver. Auditions consist of the same repertoire as the pre-screening and are approximately 20 minutes in length. For the live audition, applicants will first choose one work of their choice from the Jazz Audition Songs. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly the third work as well. Applicants may be asked to perform the classical piece submitted on the pre-screening. Rhythm section, amplifiers and a drum set will be provided. Applicants must provide music for the accompanying trio. Play-along/sing-along recordings are not acceptable for a live audition.
Applicants unable to travel to Denver
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition must submit a recorded VIDEO audition. Recordings received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This video will be used for both the pre-screening and the final audition. See below for additional requirements for the recorded auditions.- Video recordings must be submitted on a DVD or emailed to Lamont Admissions
- Recordings must be of good sound quality and include all required repertoire
- Please clearly mark your name, area of study and instrument on your recording (submissions will not be returned)
- Recordings must be received by the deadlines mentioned.
Accompaniment
Please download the accompanying mp3 file of Blues in F to use as the accompaniment on that portion of your audition.Area Specific Requirements
Bass, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Trumpet, Trombone, Woodwinds, Voice, Writing and Composing
Bass
- An etude of medium difficulty from Simandl, Thirty Etudes
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection).
- Demonstrate at least three choruses of walking bass lines on a Blues in F.
Drums
- Perform an intermediate/advanced snare drum solo in either the orchestral or rudiment style
- Demonstrate good time-keeping and an understanding of the following styles:
- Jazz - Medium and Fast Swing with sticks, Ballad and Jazz Waltz with Brushes Rock
- Funk - 16th Note and "Hip Hop" feel
- Latin - Bossa Nova and Samba
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses of "trading fours").
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection).
Guitar
- Fernando Sor, any of the first 10 in the Segovia edition of 20 Sor Studies
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection) - the ballad must be a chord-melody arrangement.
- Demonstrate at least three choruses of "comping" on a Blues in F.
Piano
- A two-part invention by Bach
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection)
- Demonstrate at least three choruses of "comping" on a Blues in F.
Trumpet
- Second Movement of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto
- Chromatic scale the range of the instrument from bottom to top, slurred eighth notes at quarter note equals 120 b.p.m.
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection)
Trombone
- A lyric etude from Rochut, Melodius Etudes
- Chromatic scale the range of the instrument from bottom to top, slurred eighth notes at quarter note equals 120 b.p.m.
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection)
Woodwinds
- One of the odd-numbered Ferling Etudes
- Chromatic scale the range of the instrument from bottom to top, slurred eighth notes at quarter note equals 120 b.p.m.
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection)
Jazz Writing and Composing Emphasis
- Follow the audition requirements for your principal instrument. In addition, send the score and recording of two original compositions in contrasting styles.
Voice
- Student's choice of; one operatic aria in original language or English translation, oratorio aria, French art song, German art song, or Italian art song.
- Vocalize to display range and technical abilities
- Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (four improvised choruses).
- Perform three other selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos, from the audition repertoire list (one from each category, and a minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection)
Blues in F
Download the mp3 of Jazz Blues in F. Play along and improvise with the file. For Guitar, Bass and Piano, you need to Comp or Walk at least one chorus with the play-along. Drums must play-along.