Graduate Audition Requirements- Jazz Performance

Masters in Performance, Jazz Track: Audition Requirements

All candidates are encouraged to audition live and submit their repertoire in advance, including parts, to assure proper accompanying rhythm section preparation. In case of impossibility of a live audition, the candidate can either schedule a zoom audition, or submit a pre-recorded video audition with all repertoire played live, with no edits, that shows them performing the repertoire by memory with a live rhythm section (if possible).

Horns, piano, guitar, bass (acoustic or electric):

The candidate should prepare 5 pieces from the jazz repertoire to be played by memory at the audition, which should include 5 of the following options:

ballad
bebop tune
rhythm changes (above 240 bpm)
blues
contemporary tune (1980s - present)
modal tune
Afro-Cuban or Brazilian tune
An Odd-Meter piece or Odd-Meter arrangement of a standard
A solo piece (unaccompanied) - standard or original
A medium tempo standard

*Acoustic bassists are encouraged but not required to play at least one of the above tunes on electric bass.

Questions? Contact JAAMS Director Jeffrey W. Holmes, jwholmes@music.umass.edu

Drums:

The candidate should prepare 5 pieces from the jazz repertoire to be played by memory at the audition, which should include 5 of the following options:

A ballad
Medium Swing
Uptempo Swing
Afro-Cuban 6/8
Afro Cuban Songo
Samba
A "contemporary” Backbeat piece (rock or funk)
An Odd-Meter piece or Odd-Meter arrangement of a standard
A 70’s era fusion piece
New Orleans Second Line

Drumset applicants may also be asked to briefly demonstrate any or all of the following styles without a rhythm section. Styles covered with the rhythm section will not be asked for again.

Jazz ballad
Brush Skills
Afro-Cuban 6/8
Afro Cuban Songo
Samba
Contemporary Backbeat groove playing
Odd Meter playing
70’s era fusion style playing
New Orleans Second Line

Drumset audition questions? Contact Prof. Thomas Giampietro, thomasg@music.umass.edu

Vocal Jazz - Pre-screening:

A pre-screening video should be submitted. Songs need to be sung “live” (i.e. in a single take). Can be sung with play along (Band-in-a-Box, iReal Pro etc.) or a rhythm section. Content of video:

1. The following scales sung in any key, one octave sung to the ninth ascending and descending. Sing with applicable syllables.

Diatonic major scale (swing feel)
Harmonic minor scale (swing feel)
Lydian Dominant (straight or swung)
Chromatic Scale (straight or swung)

2. One jazz standard (medium or up tempo); perform two choruses with measures 1-8 or 1-16  of 2nd chorus improvised. This can be instrumental style with scat syllables or alter the lyric melody by choosing notes that demonstrate an awareness of the harmony.

3. A Jazz Ballad.

4. ONE Tune chosen from following list:

A bebop tune (with or without lyrics)
A blues (12 bar or extended)
A contemporary tune (1980s - present)
A Brazilian or Afro Cuban tune
An arrangement of a standard that “modernizes” the tune

 

 Invited Vocal Live Audition

 Create a balanced program of 5 memorized pieces chosen from the following styles:

1.    A ballad

2.    A med. Tempo jazz standard

3.    A bebop tune (with or without lyrics)

4.    A blues (12 bar or extended)

5.    A contemporary tune (1980s - present)

6.    A Brazilian tune (med. or up tempo)

7.    An Afro Cuban tune

8.    An arrangement of a standard that “modernizes” the tune

9.    A rubato verse (duo with bass or piano) leading to standard (in any medium/up tempo feel)

10.  An up tempo jazz standard

Questions about Vocal Jazz audition requirements? Contact Prof. Catherine Jensen-Hole, jensen-hole@music.umass.edu