Audition Information - MSU College of Music - Michigan State University

Jazz Studies Audition Information

Jazz Bass (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Performance

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs. Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps - Eb
• Confirmation - F
• Body & Soul (Arco) - Db
• Cheryl – C
• Anthropology – Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Paul Chambers solo on "Visitation" (melody & solo) from "Chambers’ Music" by Paul Chambers
• Performed with recording from memory

Technical Studies

• Bach Cello Suite Prelude #1 – G, Metronome: quarter note = 80
• Performed from memory

Jazz Drums (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Performance

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs. Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps - Eb
• Confirmation - F
• Body & Soul - Db
• Cheryl – C
• Anthropology – Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Max Roach’s solo on “Blues Walk” from “Max Roach & Clifford Brown” by Clifford Brown
• Performed with the recording from memory

Technical Studies

• The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley - Comp Example No. 3; Metronome: quarter note = 60
• Performed from memory

Jazz Saxophone (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Performance

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs. Play the melody to all compositions and improvise.

• Giant Steps - Eb
• Confirmation - F
• Body & Soul - Db
• Cheryl – C
• Anthropology – Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions 

• Alto & Baritone Saxophones: Charlie Parker’s Solo on “KoKo” (1945)
• Tenor Saxophone: John Coltrane’s solo on “Giant Steps” by John Coltrane from “Giant Steps” (1960)
• Performed with the recording from memory

Technical Studies

• W. Ferling 48 Famous Studies for Saxophone: No. 6; Dotted-quarter = 76
• Performed from memory

Jazz Trombone (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs.  Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps – Eb
• Confirmation – F
• Body & Soul – Db
• Cheryl – C
• Anthropology – Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Curtis Fuller’s solo on “Blue Train” from “Blue Train” by John Coltrane
• Performed with the recording from memory.

Technical Studies

• Arban Complete Trombone Method Characteristic Study No. 1; quarter note = 80
• Performed from memory

Jazz Trumpet (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs.  Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps – Eb
• Confirmation – F
• Body & Soul – Db
• Cheryl – C
• Anthropology – Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Clifford Brown’s solo on “Flossie Lou” from “More Study in Brown” by Clifford Brown
• Performed with the recording from memory

Technical Studies

• Arban Complete Trumpet Method Characteristic Study No. 1; quarter note = 80
• Performed from memory

Jazz Piano (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs.  Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps - Eb
• Confirmation - F
• Body & Soul - Db
• Cheryl - C
• Anthropology - Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Red Garland’s Solo on “Hey Now” from “Groovy” by the Red Garland Trio
• Performed with the recording from memory.

Technical Studies

• Cherny School of Velocity, Op 299 No. 4; Metronome: dotted half note = 80
• Performed from memory

Jazz Guitar (MM & Performance Diploma)

Please note:  The jazz audition requirements below are not suggestions.  These are specific requirements.  Please prepare all works as defined.

All material must be memorized

Students should be prepared to perform all five songs below. The faculty will select two of the five songs. Play the melody to all compositions, walk and improvise.

• Giant Steps - Eb
• Confirmation - F
• Body & Soul - Db
• Cheryl - C
• Anthropology - Bb

Sight Reading

• Students will be given one minute to look over the material and at that time a tempo will be given.

Transcriptions

• Grant Green’s solo on “The Best Things In Life Are Free” from “Workout” by Hank Mobley
• Performed with the recording from memory.

Technical Studies

• Bach Violin Sonata No.1; Presto
• Performed from memory.

Updated on 10/03/2018