Graduate Audition l Eastman School of Music

Jazz Studies Audition Information

Jazz Studies

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

Prescreening 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).

MM and DMA: Pre-screening Requirement:  

l  Before December 1, all applicants to the jazz studies and contemporary media program must upload a pre-screen recording within the application.

l  The pre-screening 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  All DMA applicants must also send representative scores and recordings of compositions and/or arrangements for varied jazz ensemble formations 

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 submitted. 

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

On-Campus Audition Requirements for All Jazz Instruments 

l  Solo audition with rhythm section: 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 pre-screening recording.

l  Group audition with other jazz applicants

l  Individual audition with respective performance faculty (applicants in piano, saxophone, and trombone, see below for requirements)

Jazz Piano 

l  Please print out a two-part repertoire list which includes all classical and jazz repertoire studied.

l  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 

MM auditions requirements:  

l  Prepared repertoire may include standard and contemporary solo literature appropriate to training and experience.

l  Sight-reading

DMA audition requirements:  

l  Prepared repertoire should include three works representing contrasting styles.

l  Applicants are encouraged to include one transcription of a work written before the 20th century.

Jazz Trombone

MM and DMA Trombone and Bass Trombone audition requirements: 

l  1 lyrical etude (such as, but not limited to, Bordogni, Panofka, Busser, etc.)

l  1 technical etude (such as, but not limited to, Bitsch, Tyrell, Bozza, etc.)

l  1 complete, major work (concerto, sonata, etc.) originally composed for the instrument

l  Possible sight-reading demanding proficiency in bass, tenor, and alto clefs