Mary Pappert School of Music | Duquesne University

Jazz Studies Audition Information

Jazz Studies (MM)

Applicants that have expressed interest in jazz studies will be required to complete a jazz audition. This audition will be scheduled by the Office of Music Admissions on the same day as the classical audition. In addition to the classical audition requirements, applicants will be expected to demonstrate the following skills:

Prepared Music

l  Winds, Vocalists, Piano, Double Bass - Perform a portion of a solo transcription or jazz ensemble part that demonstrates the ability to interpret swing phrasing.

l  Drums - Play time and improvise (playing "fours") in several styles and tempos, including jazz, rock and Latin.

Suggestions for Prepared Music

l  Winds - Solo transcription of any legendary jazz instrumentalist (e.g. Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino) or a section part from jazz ensemble literature.

l  Vocalist - Solo transcription of any legendary jazz vocalist (e.g. Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker) or a personal interpretation of a jazz standard.

l  Piano - Solo transcription of any legendary jazz pianist (e.g. Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea) or any piano part from jazz ensemble literature.

l  Double Bass - Solo transcription of any legendary jazz figure (see above) or jazz bassist (e.g. Ron Carter, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Chambers, Jaco Pastorius, John Patitucci) or any bass part from jazz ensemble literature.

l  Drums - Blues and/or 32-bar AABA song (I Got Rhythm, Take The "A" Train, etc.)

Sight-reading

l  Winds, Vocalists - Sight-read music containing typical rhythms in both swing and straight eighth-note styles.

l  Piano - Sight-read notated rhythms, written lines and chord changes and demonstrate the ability to comp in both swing and straight eighth-note styles.

l  Double Bass - Sight-read notated rhythms, written lines and chord changes and demonstrate the ability to play idiomatic bass lines in both swing and straight eighth-note styles.

l  Drums - Sight-reading will also be required.

Improvisation

l  Winds, Vocalists, Piano, Double Bass - Improvise over a Bb Blues, Ladybird (by Tadd Dameron), and/or a tune of applicant's choice (bring chord changes).

l  Drums - Improvise full choruses and trade fours over the following forms: Blues and/or 32-bar AABA song (I Got Rhythm, Take The "A" Train, etc.)

Jazz Studies (Artist Diploma)

This program is reserved for advanced performers who have completed academic degrees (minimum requirement of a Bachelor of Music, but preferably a Master of Music) or their foreign equivalent and whose accomplishments have already been amply demonstrated in various performance venues. Artist Diploma students devote most of their time perfecting their performance skills with private lessons from an artist-teacher, many of whom are members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Performance in large ensembles and chamber music groups rounds out their musical studies, as they expand their solo and ensemble repertoire, and prepare for auditions with renowned professional ensembles.

                                                                                                                                                  Updated on 04/20/2019