Undergraduate Audition Requirements - Jazz Instruments/Voice

Jazz Voice

Professor Catherine Jensen-Hole, jensen-hole@music.umass.edu

Please note: Vocal Jazz Major/Minor auditions do not require preparation of any classical repertoire.

Live Audition Requirements

• Prepare three stylistically different tunes from the standard Jazz repertoire. These should include a medium tempo jazz selection and a jazz ballad. The third song can be blues based, a bossa, samba or a contemporary jazz song. A lead sheet should be prepared in your own key and provided at the audition.
• Improvisation on one tune is encouraged but not obligatory.
• Scales: one octave ascending and descending chromatic scale
• Sight Reading demonstration including un-pitched jazz rhythmic sequences in swing feel.

An accompanist on piano will be provided during the audition (but not during warm-up).

Remote Audition Requirements

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

• After submitting the Music Application, the applicant will be emailed by Prof. Jensen-Hole via the email provided on the Form. In reply, the student must provide three songs as outlined from the options available in the Live Audition Requirements to sing (including the keys they will be sung in). Following this, the student will be provided with backing tracks to sing along with.
• Once a student has the accompaniment tracks, the student must reply to Prof. Jensen-Hole to organize a date and time to have a livestream audition via Zoom.
• During the Zoom audition, the student is expected to perform their three selected songs with the provided accompaniment tracks. In addition, a sight-reading exercise will be provided via email to demonstrate during the Zoom audition.

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Jazz Guitar/Piano

Professor Jeffrey W. Holmes, jazz piano, JAAMS program director
Professor Robert Ferrier, jazz guitar
For questions, contact: musicadmissions@umass.edu

Live Audition Requirements

1. 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). Bring four copies of each lead sheet.
Non-jazz pieces may be prepared in addition to the above requirements (bring lead sheets as applicable).

2. 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 (piano 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.

3. Guitarists must bring their own patch cords. An amp will be provided.

4. An accompanist (piano and/or bass) will be provided.

Remote Audition Requirements

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

For Jazz Guitar
After submitting a Music Application, please send an email to Prof. Bob Ferrier at rferrier@music.umass.edu (and CC Nathaniel Gowen, at musicadmissions@umass.edu) 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 or recorded play-along accompaniment is encouraged but not required).

For Jazz Piano

• 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.
  • A drum/bass play-along track is encouraged by 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.

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Jazz Bass

Professor Fumi Tomita, stomita@music.umass.edu

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:

1. A jazz blues in F major or Bb major (e.g. Now's the Time; Straight, No Chaser, etc.).

2. 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.).

3. 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 for further information.

After submitting a Music Application, students must email Nathaniel Gowen at musicadmissions@umass.edu 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. Applicants should also be prepared to provide accompaniment for themselves, either live musicians or a play-along that's audible to the faculty (Aebersold IRealB, etc.). The audition is expected to take 30 minutes.

 

 

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Jazz Drum Set

Professor Thomas Giampietro, thomasg@music.umass.edu

Live Audition Requirements

1. 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)
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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 for further information.

After submitting a Music Application, the student must contact Prof. Giampietro (thomasg@music.umass.edu) 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.

 

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Jazz Woodwinds

(e.g. saxophone, flute, clarinet)

Professor Felipe Salles, fsalles@music.umass.edu

Live Audition Requirements

1. 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).

2. Students will be asked to demonstrate:

• Scales: all major and minor two octaves ascending and descending.
• Sight Reading in jazz and related styles.
• Instrument and/or voice pitch matching and interval/chord identification may also be administered.

3. Two contrasting etudes by Rossari, Ferling or equivalent - one fast and one slow.

4. 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 for further information.

Students may either have an audition via Zoom (recommended) or submit a video recording to satisfy a remote audition.

Option 1: Requirements for Livestream via Zoom (recommended)

After submitting the Music Application, the student should contact Nathaniel Gowen at musicadmissions@umass.edu 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.
• 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.

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.

 

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Jazz Brass

Professor Jeffrey Holmes, jazz brass, JAAMS program director
For questions, contact: musicadmissions@umass.edu

Live Audition Requirements

1. Be prepared to demonstrate all aspects of the classical Trumpet/Trombone audition requirements.

2. 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).

3. 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 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

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 musicadmissions@umass.edu 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: jwholmes@music.umass.edu .

For Vocal Jazz audition questions, contact Professor Jensen-Hole: jensen-hole@music.umass.edu.

Jazz Voice | Jazz Guitar/Piano | Jazz Bass | Jazz Drum Set | Jazz Woodwinds | Jazz Brass | All