Audition Requirements

Those auditioning must satisfactorily perform the requirements listed below for acceptance to the Lamont School of Music. Requirements that differ for undergraduate and graduate auditions are noted. Music Minors do not audition before acceptance to the University of Denver; Music Minors must audition after beginning studies at the university.

Jazz and Commercial Music Auditions

Pre-Screening

Due to the very large number of applicants, all jazz and commercial music applicants must submit a CD (preferred), DVD, or videotape (American Standard VHS format) with the application for pre-screening. CDs/DVDs/tapes will not be returned.

Repertoire for the prescreening tape 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. The repertoire for the pre-screening CD is the same as the repertoire for the live audition (see bellow).

Recordings do not need to be professional or studio recordings. A CD, DVD, or video with good audio quality is sufficient. All recordings must include the complete required audition repertoire, and must be clearly labeled with your name and repertoire.

Applicants who do not reside in North America or will not be able to come to Denver for a live audition must submit a video. This video will be used for both pre-screening and admission/scholarship consideration. See section on Video Auditions for video requirements.

Live Audition

• Applicants who pass the prescreening portion of the audition will be invited for a live audition in Denver .
• All auditions are approximately 20 minutes in length. Each applicant prepares one work from each category of the audition repertoire list, and chooses one work for performance, the faculty will choose a second and possibly third work.
• 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.
• If you cannot attend the live audition you may submit an video for the audition.  Please see Video Auditions.

Please note that applications received without a recording cannot be considered for an invitation to a live audition.

Video Auditions

• Videotapes must be in American Standard VHS format.
• DVDs are acceptable.
• Videos must be of good sound quality.
• Videos must include all required repertoire and be clearly marked.
• Videos must be submitted by the deadlines mentioned below.
• Videos will not be returned.

Materials Deadlines

Early Action Pre-Screening Deadline - Nov. 1

Regular Action Pre-Screening Deadline - January 15

Applicants who submit recorded audition materials after the January 15 deadline, do not reside in North America, or will not be able to come to Denver for a live audition must submit a video recording. This video will be used for both pre-screening and admission/scholarship consideration. See section on Video Auditions for video requirements. Applications and audition materials received after the January 15 deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis

GGENERAL REQUIREMENTSgENERAL REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Accompaniment

Please download the accompanying mp3 file of Blues in F  to use as the accompaniment on that portion of your audition.

Audition Repertoire List

Jazz audition pieces must be selected from this list, "classical" pieces are specified for each instrument.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

NOTE: All Bachelor of Music majors in the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program, including majors in the Writing and Composing, and Technology tracks must still declare a principal instrument and audition for entrance on that instrument.

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 (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)

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 (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)

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 (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)

Piano

• A two-part invention by Bach
• 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)
• Demonstrate at least three choruses of "comping" on a Blues in F .

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 listt (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 .

Bass

• An etude of medium difficulty from Simandl, Thirty Etudes
• 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).
• 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" feels
• Latin - Bossa Nova and Samba
• Required piece: a Blues in F in medium tempo (minimum of 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).

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 (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)

Writing and Composing
Follow the audition requirements for your principal instrument. In addition, send the score and recording of two original compositions in contrasting styles.