Jazz Studies (BM)

2019 Rochester Audition Dates:

Jazz Double Bass, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Trumpet: January 25, February 1, 15, 22

Jazz Drum Set: January 25, February 1, 15

Jazz Piano: January 25, February 1, 22

Jazz Saxophone: January 25, February 1

Jazz Trombone: February 1, 15, 22

Pre-screening Requirement for all Jazz instruments:

Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Guitar, Piano, Double Bass, and Drumset

Note: Private jazz studio instruction is not available at Eastman for the following instruments: Cello, Electric Bass, Euphonium, French Horn, Harp, Organ and Electronic Keyboards, Percussion (other than drum set), Tuba, Vibraphone /Mallet instruments, Viola, Violin, Voice (Vocal Jazz), or Woodwinds other than Saxophone (which may be studied as a secondary instrument).

l  Before December 1, all applicants to the jazz studies and contemporary media program must upload a preliminary audition recording.

l  The prescreening recording should comprise 3-4 varied jazz selections in different styles (such as ballad, swing, straight 8th-note, etc). 

l  Each selection must include improvisation, and must be recorded in a separate file with a total combined length of not more than 20 minutes. 

l  Recordings that feature the applicant as a soloist in a small group are preferred.

l  Recordings with play-along recordings are also acceptable.

l  Large ensemble recordings that feature the applicant as soloist may also be used, but must be edited down to include only the applicant’s solo segments.

l  Applicants for the Jazz Writing concentration must also ship a portfolio of three or four scores of compositions and/or arrangements that display writing for large and small jazz group formats. Recordings of these works should also submit. 

l  Recordings from reading sessions and rehearsals are acceptable. 

l  If live performers are not available, recordings of computer sequences of works may be submitted. Candidates with a background in classical composition are encouraged to submit one or two examples of original non-jazz works.

l  The guidelines given below apply to those invited for a live audition. Jazz applicants may not audition at regional audition sites or by self-prepared recording. 

l  An on-campus audition in Rochester is required for this major.

On-Campus Audition Requirements for All Jazz Instruments

Applicants invited to a live audition must perform two jazz auditions and an individual audition.

l  Jazz audition: Applicants must be prepared to perform 3-4 jazz selections in varied styles and improvise on each of them. Applicants must bring lead sheets with them to this audition.  Selections should include some material that was not heard on the prescreening recording.

l  Group improv session: performed with other applicants

l  Individual audition (see below for requirements)

Jazz Double Bass

Perform from each of the following categories:

l  Etude by composers such as Storch-Hrabe (57 Studies), Simandl (Gradus Ad Parnassum), or Bille* (arco preferred)

l  A Bebop melody by composers such as Charlie Parker (Donna Lee, Confirmation, etc.), Bud Powell (Web City, Celia, etc.), or other representative Bebop repertoire

l  A walking bass line on a standard tune

l  Note: Only acoustic double bassists are considered for admission. However, applicants who double on electric bass may bring both instruments to the audition.  An amp will be provided.

Jazz Drumset

Perform each of the following:

l  Drum set solo: Thompson: Jazz Solos for Drum Set, V.1; Thompson: Modern Jazz Solos for Drum Set; or an appropriate transcription from a classic jazz drum set solo

l  Snare drum etude by Wilcox or commensurate with NYSSMA Level 6

l  Demonstration of various styles such as swing, latin, funk, brushes, etc.

l  Note: kit will be provided.  Applicants should bring sticks, brushes, and cymbals (if desired), but keep in mind that time allows for only minor adjustments to equipment.

Jazz Guitar

l  Chord melody on a jazz standard (rubato or in tempo)

l  Very short sight reading example

l  1 bebop head

l  1 chorus chord comping on a jazz standard

l  1 classical piece or étude (fingerstyle or with pick)

l  Note: an amp will be provided.

Jazz Piano

l  Please print out a two-part repertoire list which includes all classical and jazz repertoire studied. Bring this list and your Audition Repertoire Form with you to your audition.

l  Perform 3 pieces of representative repertoire from the following composers/idioms by memory:

ü  J.S. Bach (baroque era)

ü  Mozart (classical era)

ü  Chopin or an impressionistic composer

Jazz Saxophone

Examples of recommended repertoire:

l  A Bebop melody by Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk or Miles Davis such as Bloomdido, Cheryl, Donna Lee, Well you Needn’t, etc and improvise over the form

l  Sight-reading

Jazz Trumpet

l  Either Charlier Etude #1 or #4

l  Either Haydn 1st movement; Kennan 1st movement or Hummel 1st movement

l  Basic sight-reading

Jazz Trombone

l  A solo work chosen from the following: Grondahl concerto, Jacob concerto, Wagenseil concerto, Hindemith sonata, Sulek sonata, Casterède sonata, Galliard sonata, Guilmant, Bozza, or a work of similar difficulty

l  One etude from Rochut Melodious Etudes 1-24

l  Sight-reading in alto and tenor clefs