Music Audition Requirements—Undergraduate : Department of Music and Dance : UMass Amherst

Acceptance to the Bachelor of Music (Performance, JAAMS, Composition), Bachelor of Arts in Music (Performance, JAAMS), and Minor in Music is determined by audition.

All auditions must be completed by the last day of classes during the semester before intended enrollment.

Prospective freshman intending to major primarily in music must complete the audition by February 28 for purposes of admissibility and scholarship consideration.

To sign up for an audition, a Music Application must be submitted.

Concentrations in Composition, Music History, and Music Theory require supporting materials instead of, or in addition to, an audition.

Remote Music Audition Policy

For questions about auditions, please contact Music Admissions Director Nate Gowen at @email or by phone at 413-545-6048.

Woodwinds

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

Saxophone

Professor Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, @email
Jazz Saxophone: Professor Felipe Salles, @email

Please note:

You may audition on whichever saxophone you play most proficiently.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare and demonstrate repertoire from the Jazz Woodwind audition requirements.

Live Audition Requirements

Please prepare the following:

Full range scales (from low Bb to high F or F#). These should include:
1. Fewer than 4 accidentals: slurred and articulated
2. 4 or more accidentals: slurred
3. Chromatic scale: slurred and articulated
Two etudes by Rossari, Ferling, Berbiguier, or equivalent, demonstrating both lyrical and technical playing.
Bb instruments—10 minutes of classical repertoire, such as:
- Larry Teal's Solos for the Tenor Saxophone Player
- J.S. Bach—BWV 1010, recommended edition by A. Dahlke
- J.S. Bach—BWV 1013, any edition, can read C score as written
- Yusef Lateef—Romance for soprano saxophone and harp or piano
- Robert Schumann—Three Romances
- Florent Schmitt—Songe de Coppelius for tenor sax and piano
- Kincaid Rabb—The Automaton and the Aeronaut
- Heitor Villa-Lobos—Fantasia
OR Eb instruments—10 minutes of classical repertoire, such as:
- Larry Teal's Solos for the Alto Saxophone Player
- J.S. Bach—BWV 1010, recommended edition by A. Dahlke
- J.S. Bach—BWV 1013, any edition, can read C score as written
- Eugene Bozza—Aria
- Lawson Lunde—Sonata
- Robert Schumann—Three Romances
- Paul Creston—Sonata
- Catherine McMichael—Fusion Suite
- Alexander Glazunov—Concerto
We will also ask you to tune with a piano and electronic tuner, and demonstrate a few intervals (octave, fifth, third) in tune.

Optional: Anything else you'd like to play that demonstrates the direction and range of your musicianship.
Please be prepared to share the following with the faculty at the audition:
1. The degree program you are auditioning for (e.g., BM in Performance)
2. Why you want to study music and why you are interested in UMass.
3. Anything else you'd like to share about yourself or your musical interests.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

Please prepare the pieces outlined in the Live Audition Requirements for an audition held live via Zoom. After submitting the Music Application, please contact musicadmissions@umass.edu to set up a date and time.

Brass

French Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Euphonium

Tuba

Strings

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

Professor Salvatore Macchia, @email

If applying for the Jazz Bass program (Fumi Tomita, jazz bass faculty), please see the Jazz Bass section below.

Pre-screening Requirement

All applicants auditioning on a classical stringed instrument must submit a pre-screening video with the Music Application (deadline: January 15). The video must be available via link to a YouTube video. Raw video files are not acceptable.

In the pre-screen video, applicants must present two contrasting pieces of their choice. For multi-movement works, a single movement will count as a piece for this purpose.

Applicants who pass pre-screening will be invited for a final audition. Applicants attending a Live Audition will be assigned a time on the audition date selected in the Music Application. Those who selected a Remote Audition will be contacted for a livestream audition via Zoom.

Live Audition Requirements

Repertoire

A sonata such as those by Marcello, Telemann, Eccles or the first movement of the Dragonetti Concerto
An etude from Simandl 30 Etudes, Storch-Hrabe 57 Etudes, or another etude of comparable difficulty

Technique

Two- and three-octave major and minor scales

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

Contact Prof. Salvatore Macchia (@email) to arrange an interview via Zoom after submitting a Music Application.
For the interview, please be prepared to perform Live Audition Requirements noted above as well as to discuss your musical background and goals.
Pending the result and direction of the interview, the student may be required to submit a video demonstrating all or part of the Live Audition Requirements. The link to the video must be sent to Prof. Macchia via the email provided above no later than Feb. 19, 2022.

Percussion, Piano and Voice

Percussion

Piano

Voice (Classical)

(For Jazz Voice, see Jazz Instruments/Voice below)

Professor William Hite, @email

Live Audition Requirements

Repertoire

Perform three (3) songs from memory, selected from the art song, Lieder, oratorio, or opera literature demonstrating more than one language.

An accompanist will be provided during the audition (not during the warm-up). Applicants only need to provide hard copies of their music for the accompanist; extra copies are not required or desired by the audition panel.

Aural Skills

Students will be asked to perform melodic and rhythmic sight reading as well as tonal memory exercises.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

Repertoire

Students must first prepare a video submission via YouTube performing three (3) songs as outlined in the repertoire for the Live Audition Requirements. Students must submit a link to this video with the submission of their Music Application.

Video setup:

The camera should be placed such that the singer is visible at least from the waist up.
Please use a live accompanist if possible. If a live accompanist is not available, a pre-recorded accompaniment track for your pieces is permitted. Accompaniments for many of the standard audition pieces available free of charge on YouTube. You can also investigate accompaniment software such as appcompanist.com.
Do not actively accompany yourself on the video (though you are welcome to record your own accompaniment track).
Introduce yourself and the piece you will sing for each of your selections.
Please do not edit your videos. We want this to be as close to a live audition as possible.
Please treat this like a live audition, both in regards to personal attire and the presentation of yourself and your surroundings. In addition, while the faculty wants the sound and video quality to be a good as possible, it is not necessary to make the recording in a professional studio.

Aural Skills

Students who pass the repertoire portion of the Remote Audition will be invited to a Zoom interview with the Voice faculty for an aural skills test. Students will be notified individually and invited to coordinate the date and time for their interview.

For the tonal memory portion of the interview, the student will require the ability to hear audio examples and sing them back to the panel. The student will also be asked to view a sight singing example via shared screen, be given a starting pitch, and then sing the example. It is recommend that the student perform the aural skills interview on a computer rather than mobile device for better viewing.

Similar to the repertoire video, professional attire and presentation should be observed and the camera angle must show the student from the waist up.

Jazz Voice/Instruments

Jazz Voice

Jazz Guitar

Professor Robert Ferrier, jazz guitar
For questions, contact: @email

Guitarists must bring their own patch cable and amplifier to the audition.
Play-along tracks are not permitted. Prospects will either play solo or be accompanied by either the piano or guitar faculty. Provide 1 copy of each lead sheet for the audition.

Live Audition Requirements

Three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues).

Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements. It’s recommended to email @email before the audition to confirm non-jazz repertoire.
Students will be asked to demonstrate “comping” styles over blues, rhythm changes (like Oleo), and a more contemporary “vamp” sequence.
- Scales: all major and minor two octaves ascending and descending.
- ii V I's in all major and minor keys: comp and improvise in 2 and 4 measure increments.
- Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
- Instrument and/or voice pitch matching may also be administered.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information

After submitting a Music Application, please send an email to @email with your availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays to arrange a date and time for an audition via Zoom. You should prepare the materials outlined in the Live Audition Requirements to the best of your ability for the audition. Live accompaniment is encouraged but not required. Play-along tracks are not preferred.

Jazz Piano

Professor Jeff Holmes, jazz piano, JAAMS Director
For questions, contact: @email

Play-along tracks are not permitted. Prospects are expected to perform the repertoire on solo piano.

Live Audition Requirements

Three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody, comping and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues).

Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements. It’s recommended to email @email before the audition to confirm non-jazz repertoire.
Students will be asked to demonstrate “comping” styles over blues, rhythm changes (like Oleo), and a more contemporary “vamp” sequence.
- Scales: all major and minor two octaves ascending and descending with both hands.
- ii V I's in all major and minor keys: comp and improvise in 2 and 4 measure increments.
- Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
- Instrument and/or voice pitch matching may also be administered.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

Prepare a video demonstrating the Live Audition Requirements to the best of your ability with the following notes/exceptions:
- For the "comping over various styles" requirement, students may demonstrate comping over one chorus of a 32-bar tune or three choruses of a blues. Either is in addition to a contemporary "vamp" sequence (e.g. over a iii-VI-ii-V pattern).
- Demonstration of ii-V-I patterns is encouraged but not required. Students have the choice of key signatures for a demonstration if included.
- Live accompaniment is highly encouraged. A drum/bass play-along track is permitted but not required for any portion of the video.
Please upload the video to YouTube and have it available to view via shareable link.
A link to the video must be submitted with the Music Application. Raw video files are not accepted.

Jazz Bass

Professor Fumi Tomita, @email

NOTE: Applicants may audition on acoustic or electric bass. However, Bachelors of Music (BM) applicants are required to audition on acoustic (upright) bass.

Live Audition Requirements

Repertoire

Prepare and present three jazz pieces in which the applicant must play the melody, one/two choruses of accompaniment, and one/two choruses of improvisation. The parameters for each piece are outlined as follows:

A jazz blues in F major or Bb major (e.g. Now's the Time; Straight, No Chaser, etc.).
A swing-based tune from standard jazz repertoire of the student's choice that is not a blues (e.g. Summertime, Autumn Leaves, Doxy, etc.).
A tune with a straight-eighth note feel.

Students are discouraged from using playalongs. A small rhythm section consisting of at least a chordal instrument will be provided for the audition. A bass amp will also be provided. Applicants should bring at least two extra copies of each repertoire piece.

Technique

Be prepared to demonstrate one-octave scales in major, harmonic minor, melodic minor, all modes, triads, and seventh chords for the keys of D, G, C, F, and Bb.

Sightreading

Applicants will be expected to read through a standard lead sheet: playing the melody (in bass clef), walking a bass line and improvising a solo from the chord chart.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

After submitting a Music Application, students must email Nathaniel Gowen at @email to arrange a livestream audition date and time via Zoom with the faculty.

Applicants should prepare the Live Audition Requirements as listed above to the best of their ability for the remote audition. Sightreading will be included. Applicants are expected to provide live accompaniment for themselves, consisting of at least a pianist or guitar player and optionally a drummer. Play-along tracks are not permitted. The audition is expected to take 30 minutes.

Jazz Drum Set

Professor Thomas Giampietro, @email

Live Audition Requirements

Students will demonstrate the following styles: swing (moderate, moderate trading 4's between time and solo; and up-tempo), Latin (bossa and samba), Jazz waltz, funk, moderate rock, brushes (medium tempo swing and ballad), 12/8 Afro-Cuban and songo and an odd meter (5/4 or 7/4-swing)
Performance of a jazz or straight-8th tune selected from the standard jazz repertoire. An accompanist (piano or guitar, with or without bass) will be provided. The student will also be required to improvise a solo over the form of their chosen tune. Bring 4 copies of the lead sheet for this tune. Note: this should NOT be a big band chart!
Students will also play a prepared drum set solo of their choice – please bring 4 copies of the piece. The prepared solo should be either a solo composed by the student or a transcription of a recorded jazz solo.
Students will be required to sight read a big-band chart, a rhythm sheet and/or a lead sheet. Voice pitch matching may also be administered.

Please note: A drum-set will be provided for the audition. However, students must bring their own cymbals (including high hats), snare drum, bass drum pedal and sticks/brushes/mallets. A drum set will not be provided for warm-up; students are welcome to bring their own practice pad to prepare during the allotted warm-up time if desired.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

After submitting a Music Application, the student must contact Prof. Giampietro (@email) to arrange a date and time for a livestream audition via Zoom. The audition is expected to take 30 minutes to complete and the student must provide their own accompaniment for the audition, whether live musicians or a play-along track.

Students must prepare and present the following for the Zoom audition, in order:

3 to 4 choruses of playing behind a soloist a medium tempo swing in a blues form (no "head" required) with a live trio or recorded accompaniment.
Blue Bossa as a bossa with the same trio or recorded accompaniment. The trio plays the melody, followed by 2-3 choruses of comping in that style behind a soloist.
Someday My Prince Will Come as 3/4 swing with same trio. Trio plays melody, followed by 3-4 choruses comping in that style behind soloist.
Take the A Train, medium swing using BRUSHES with the same trio/recorded accompaniment. Trio plays melody, and then 2-3 choruses comping in swing brush style behind soloist.
In A Sentimental Mood as a ballad with brushes with trio/recorded accompaniment one time through the head only.
Cherokee as an uptempo swing (back to sticks) with trio/recorded accompaniment. Trio plays melody, and then 2-3 choruses comping in that style behind soloist.
The drummer will then be asked to demonstrate some or all of the following styles without accompaniment:
- Samba, 30-45 seconds
- 6/8 afro-cuban groove, 30-45 seconds
- Songo, 30-45 seconds
- Student's favorite Funk/R&B groove, 30-45 seconds
- Student's favorite ROCK groove, 30-45 seconds
- Trading fours in swing time without accompaniment.
Following the style demonstrations, the student and accompanying trio/recording perform a chosen standard as outlined in part 2 of the Live Audition Requirements.
The drummer performs a prepared solo as outlined in part 3 of the Live Audition Requirements. The drummer should email a PDF of the solo to Prof. Giampietro prior to the start of the audition.

Jazz Woodwinds

Jazz Brass

Professor Jeffrey Holmes, jazz brass, JAAMS program director
Professor Haneef Nelson, jazz brass
For questions, contact: @email

Live Audition Requirements

Be prepared to demonstrate all aspects of the classical Trumpet or Trombone audition requirements listed above under Brass.
Demonstrate three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection such as Out Of Nowhere, Just Friends, or Joy Spring, a blues such as Billie's Bounce or Straight No Chaser (not Blue Monk), and, a contrasting up tempo jazz, jazz waltz, Latin, or contemporary jazz piece (no ballads). Performance of the melody and a minimum of two improvised choruses per tune will be required (4 improvised choruses for blues). Bring four copies of each lead sheet.

Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements (bring lead sheets as applicable).
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the following:
- Rhythm changes (like Oleo) and a more contemporary "vamp" sequence
- Scales: be prepared to play any major and minor scale, two octaves ascending and descending.
- ii V I's in all major and minor keys: improvise inn 2 and 4 measure increments.
- Sight Reading: single lines, rhythmic sequences and chord changes in jazz and related styles such as Latin and rock/funk.
- Instrument and/or voice pitch matching and interval/chord identification may also be administered.

An accompanist (piano or guitar, with or without bass) will be provided.

Remote Audition Requirements

All Remote Auditions require faculty approval. Please see the Remote Music Audition Policy above for further information.

Jazz Brass applicants submitting a remote audition must complete classical and jazz components to the audition.

Classical: Submit a video with the Music Application as outlined in the Remote Audition requirements for Trumpet/Trombone (above).

Jazz: Students may either have a jazz audition via Zoom (recommended) or submit a video recording to satisfy the remote audition.

Option 1: Requirements for Livestream via Zoom (recommended)

After submitting the Music Application, the student should contact Nathaniel Gowen at @email to set up a date and time for the Zoom audition.

1. Prepare and perform the three stylistically different tunes as outlined in the Live Audition Requirements. The student should have a play-along track audibly playing in the background when performing.
2. Two contrasting etudes as outlined in the Live Audition Requirements.
3. Students should also expect the following:
- Prepare all major and minor scales in two octaves ascending and descending; the faculty will request demonstration of certain scales during the audition.
- Sight reading will be provided electronically to perform during the audition.
- Instrument and/or voice interval identification and pitch matching may also be administered.
Option 2: Requirements for Video Recording

Students should prepare the following in a video recorded performance and have it available to view via a weblink (e.g. YouTube). The link to the video must be included with the submission of the Music Application. Raw video files are not permitted.

Please note: It is preferred that a student submit the trumpet/trombone video requirement and the jazz requirement outlined here as two separate video links. When pasting the links in the Music Application, please separate them by a comma and a space.

For the jazz video, prepare and perform the three stylistically different tunes as outlined in the Live Audition Requirements. The student should have a play-along track audibly playing in the background when performing.

Any further J.A.A.M.S. instrumental audition questions, contact Professor Holmes, Director of Jazz and African-American Music Studies: @email.