Auditions | College of Music | University of Colorado Boulder

Jazz Studies Audition Information

Jazz Saxophone

Audition Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to play at least fifteen minutes of music consisting of three or more contrasting jazz pieces or parts thereof as requested by the audition committee, and one short saxophone etude or solo (without accompaniment). It is expected that the music will be memorized (with exception of the etude). A rhythm section will be provided for you. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently, musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas below.

• 12-Bar Blues: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz blues of your choice such as: Blues for Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time
• Medium Up-Tempo Swing: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz tune of your choice such as: Green Dolphin Street, All the Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella by Starlight, Days of Wine and Roses
• Bebop: Play the melody and improvise over a bop tune such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo
• Latin/Bossa: Play the melody and improvise over a Latin of your choice such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave
• Ballad: Play a ballad of your choice (melody and improvisation) such as: In a Sentimental Mood, Body and Soul, What’s New?, My One and Only Love, Misty, My Foolish Heart
• Jazz Waltz: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz waltz such as: Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette

The audition will also include sight reading of big band parts and chord changes, and demonstration of scales (major and all minors, ascending and descending) through the full range of the instrument.

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Jazz Trumpet

Audition Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to play at least fifteen minutes of music consisting of three or more contrasting pieces or parts thereof as requested by the audition committee. It is expected that the music will be memorized. A rhythm section will be provided for you. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently, musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas below.

• 12-Bar Blues: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz blues of your choice such as: Blues for Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time
• Medium Up-Tempo Swing: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz tune of your choice such as: Green Dolphin Street, All the Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella by Starlight, Days of Wine and Roses
• Bebop: Play the melody and improvise over a bop tune such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo
• Latin/Bossa: Play the melody and improvise over a Latin of your choice such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave
• Ballad: Play a ballad of your choice (melody and improvisation) such as: In a Sentimental Mood, Body and Soul, What’s New?, My One and Only Love, Misty, My Foolish Heart
• Jazz Waltz: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz waltz such as: Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette

The audition will also include sight reading of big band parts and chord changes, and demonstration of scales (major and all minors, ascending and descending) through your full range.

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Jazz Trombone

Audition Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to play three or more contrasting pieces. It is expected that the music will be memorized. A rhythm section will be provided for you. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently, musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas below.

• 12-Bar Blues: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz blues of your choice such as: Blues for Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time
• Medium Up-Tempo Swing: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz tune of your choice such as: Green Dolphin Street, All the Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella by Starlight, Days of Wine and Roses
• Bebop: Play the melody and improvise over a bop tune such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo
• Latin/Bossa: Play the melody and improvise over a Latin of your choice such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave
• Ballad: Play a ballad of your choice (melody and improvisation) such as: In a Sentimental Mood, Body and Soul, What’s New?, My One and Only Love, Misty, My Foolish Heart
• Jazz Waltz: Play the melody and improvise over a jazz waltz such as: Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette

The audition will also include sight reading of big band parts and chord changes, and demonstration of scales (major and all minors, ascending and descending) through your full range.

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Jazz Piano

Audition Requirements

Applicants whose major emphasis is jazz piano should be prepared to play at least 15 minutes of music consisting of three or more contrasting pieces or parts thereof as requested by the audition committee. It is expected that the music will be memorized. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently and musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas listed below.

The following is a list of possible repertoire selections:

• Ballad: In A Sentimental Mood, Body And Soul, What’s New, My One And Only Love, Misty 

• 12 Bar-Blues: "Blues For Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time 

• Medium-Up Tempo Swing: Green Dolphin Street, All The Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella By Starlight, Days Of Wine and Roses 

• Be Bop: Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo, Joy Spirng 

• Latin/Bossa: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, The Girl From Ipanema, Triste, Wave 

• Tunes in 3/4: A Child is Born, Bluesette, Someday My Prince Will Come, Valse Hot 


In addition to the jazz requirements listed above, jazz piano applicants must also play one classical excerpt (three minutes in length) 

• The classical piece can be of a style period of your choice (Baroque, Classical, or Romantic for example). Additionally, please provide a list of any other classical repertoire you have studied or performed.

Some suggestions for appropriate audition repertoire include:

• Invention in A minor, No. 13 by J.S. Bach 

• Sonatina in C Major, Op. 55, No. 1 by F. Kuhlau 

• "Venetian Gondolier," Op. 19, No. 6 by F. Mendelssohn 

• Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4 by F. Chopin 

• Sonatina Op. 13, No. 1 by D. Kabalevsky 


Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

For further information about the jazz piano program, please contact Jeff Jenkins or Andrew Cooperstock.

Jazz Guitar

Preliminary Recordings

All applicants must submit a high-quality recording. Recordings must be submitted via your application checklist page on the CU Boulder Admissions page. Recordings will not be reviewed until both a CU-Boulder and College of Music application has been received. 

Repertoire for the preliminary recording is the same as for the live audition (see below). Live auditions will be granted to applicants chosen from these recordings.

Deadline to submit application and recording: December 1

Live Audition Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to play at least fifteen minutes of music consisting of three or more contrasting pieces or parts thereof as requested by the audition committee. It is expected that the music will be memorized. A rhythm section will be provided for you to play with. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently, musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas below.

• 12-Bar Blues: Play the melody and demonstrate comping (i.e., chords) over a jazz blues of your choice such as: Blues for Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time
• Medium Up-Tempo Swing: Demonstrate guitar comping interspersed with some single-note jazz phrases over a jazz tunes of your choice such as: Green Dolphin Street, All the Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella by Starlight, Days of Wine and Roses
• Bebop: Play the head on a bop tune such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo
• Latin/Bossa: Play the chords to a Latin tune (or chord melody arrangement) of your choice such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave
• Ballad: Play a ballad of your choice in chord melody style, such as: In a Sentimental Mood, Body and Soul, What’s New?, My One and Only Love, Misty, My Foolish Heart
• Jazz Waltz: Play the head and comp on a jazz waltz such as: Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Jazz Bass

Audition Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to play music consisting of three or more contrasting jazz pieces. It is expected that the music will be memorized. A drummer and pianist will be provided during your audition. Students should pick pieces that they can play most confidently, musically, and that demonstrate stylistic understanding in the areas below.

• 12-Bar Blues: Play the melody, walk bass lines, and improvise over a jazz blues of your choice such as: Blues for Alice, Au Privave, Blues Walk, Now’s The Time
• Medium Up-Tempo Swing: Play the melody, walk bass lines, and improvise over a jazz swing tune of your choice such as: Green Dolphin Street, All the Things You Are, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Autumn Leaves, My Romance, Stella by Starlight, Days of Wine and Roses
• Bebop Play the melody, walk bass lines, and improvise over a bop tune such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo
• Latin/Bossa: Play the melody, walk bass lines, and improvise over a Latin of your choice such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave
• Ballad: Play a ballad of your choice (w/accompaniment) such as: In a Sentimental Mood, Body and Soul, What’s New?, My One and Only Love, Misty, My Foolish Heart
• Jazz Waltz: Play the melody, walk bass lines, and improvise over a jazz waltz such as: Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette

The audition will also include sight reading and demonstration of scales (major and all minors, ascending and descending).

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

NOTE: As part of acceptance into the jazz degree program, you must also complete a classical audition with Dr. Paul Erhard, Professor of Bass.

Jazz Drums

Audition Requirements

Applicants should prepare and bring (with copies for bass and piano) four pieces of music (1 tune for each feel) from the jazz repertoire that will demonstrate the ability to play the following:

• Bright 4/4 Swing (mm=290+): Tunes such as Donna Lee, Confirmation, Ornithology, Oleo, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Lady Bird, Cherokee
• Latin (Samba, Bossa, or Salsa): Tunes such as: Black Orpheus, Blue Bossa, Girl From Impanema, Triste, Wave, One Note Samba, Night in Tunisia
• Jazz Waltz: Tunes such as Someday My Prince Will Come, Up Jumped Spring, All Blues, Bluesette
• Funk or Hip Hop
• Blues:  Play 12 bars of time, then outline the melodic and rhythmic contour of a 12-bar blues piece. Repeat the previous 24 measures two more times.
• Excerpts: Play a 16-32 measure excerpt of a big band chart that demonstrates ability to set up ensemble figures. Please bring parts to the audition for the accompanying bassist and pianist. Also be prepared to sight read a big band excerpt.

Live auditions are strongly preferred. Students who are unable to travel to Boulder for a live audition may submit a high-quality recorded audition. Please see the Recorded Audition Guidelines for information on submitting a recording.

Updated on 08/22/2018