With our world-class faculty, award-winning student ensembles, and state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll find everything you need here at Lamont to prepare you for a career in jazz and commercial music. Our faculty is made up of dedicated artist-teachers who will help you develop a strong jazz vocabulary and entrepreneurial spirit while you learn the basics of performing, writing and arranging.

As a jazz and commercial music major you’ll participate in at least two ensembles every quarter, including the Lamont Jazz Orchestra and Small Groups. Lamont limits enrollment to 300 students, so you’ll enjoy small class sizes with plenty of personal attention. You’ll also learn from the amazing guest artists we bring in for master classes and performances; recent guests have included Ben Wendel, Bob Sheppard, Pat Metheny, Bob Mintzer, and Wayne Bergeron.

Auditions

Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition and complete a Zoom interview. 

Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.

Click here to view the current year’s audition/interview dates and the full steps for how to apply.

  • In-Person Audition Requirements
    All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.

    Jazz Performance: All Programs

    Prepare three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.

    Audition requirements are the same for all instruments as well as voice.

     

    Minor

    Prepare one piece that you feel best exemplifies your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise.

     

    Jazz Composition and Arranging
    1. Submit 2-4 musical scores of contrasting works. 
    2. Submit corresponding recordings of your scores, and any additional works you'd like to share. You may either submit the audio files or link to them on YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Drive, etc.
    3. Audition on your primary instrument or voice with three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.

     


    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

  • Video Audition Requirements
    Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application AND will complete a live Zoom interview. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited. 
    The 10-minute interview will consist of a Q&A only. You will not be asked to perform.

    Jazz Performance: All Programs

    Prepare three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.

    Audition requirements are the same for all instruments as well as voice.

     

    Minor

    Prepare one piece that you feel best exemplifies your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise.

     

    Jazz Composition and Arranging
    1. Submit 2-4 musical scores of contrasting works. 
    2. Submit corresponding recordings of your scores, and any additional works you'd like to share. You may either submit the audio files or link to them on YouTube, Soundcloud, Google Drive, etc.
    3. Audition on your primary instrument or voice with three pieces that you feel best exemplify your talent. You’re encouraged to choose contrasting pieces from the standard canon of jazz tunes, in which you perform the melody and then improvise. We're looking for performances that demonstrate musicality, technical skill and an understanding of standard chord progressions, e.g. blues form, chord scales, two five ones, etc.

     


    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

Faculty

  • Remy Le Boeuf

    Remy Le Beouf

    Assistant Professor, Chair of Jazz & Commercial Music Studies, Composition

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  • Mike Abbott

    Mike Abbott

    Adjunct Professor, Guitar

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  • Eduardo "Bijoux" Barbosa playing jazz guitar

    Eduardo "Bijoux" Barbosa

    Adjunct Professor, Bass

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  • Annie Booth

    Annie Booth

    Adjunct Professor, Jazz Arranging, Improvisation, and Composition

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  • Art Bouton

    Art Bouton

    Professor, Saxophone

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  • Richard Harris

    Richard Harris

    Assistant Professor, Trombone

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  • Mike Marlier

    Mike Marlier

    Adjunct Professor, Drum Set

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  • Gabriel Mervine

    Gabriel Mervine

    Adjunct Professor, Trumpet

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  • Zach Rich

    Zach Rich

    Adjunct Professor, Arranging and Improvisation

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  • Peter Stolzman

    Peter Stoltzman

    Adjunct Professor, Piano

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  • Tatiana Mayfield Brown

    Tatiana Mayfield Brown

    Assistant Professor, Jazz & Commercial Music

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  • Saxes and bass
  • jazz combo
  • drummer
  • pianist
  • trumpet
  • guitarist
pattern

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