MM Jazz Performance

Please note: Jazz studies requires a pre-screen audition from all incoming applicants. The deadline to submit pre-screening materials is January 15th, however, the jazz area will consider graduate applications throughout the spring. You will be able to upload your materials directly onto our audition form that will be sent to your through the platform called "acceptD".

Results of the pre-screen round will be e-mailed to students by January 31. At that time, those who passed the pre-screen round will be able to schedule their on-campus audition.

• Resume - (school experience, private teachers, ensemble experience, repertoire/tune list, relevant work experience, awards, etc.)
• Artistic statement – What is your musical background and influence? What are your goals as a musician and why is CSUN the right place for you to work toward them?
• Two letters of recommendation

PRE-SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

Saxophone

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed. Demonstrate a minimum of one doubling instrument on a selection of your choice.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Trumpet

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Play the melody once and solo for three choruses. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: option to play on flugel horn. melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections 
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: Demonstrate range and technical skill via one of the following etudes. (to be linked)

Trombone

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Other winds and/or strings (not bass)

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once and solo for three choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: melody once, solo for two choruses.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Piano

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses. 
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Guitar

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses. 
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Vibes

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, comp for one chorus, solo for two choruses. 
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: melody once, solo for two choruses, comp for one chorus.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play unaccompanied for at least the melody and one chorus of soloing.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.

Bass

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: melody once, solo for two choruses, walk for one chorus.
  •  Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop: support melody one time through, walk for one chorus, solo for two choruses.
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Ballad: play melody once arco, walk for one chorus, solo for one chorus.
  • Ruby my Dear, Monk’s Mood, Pannonica, Ask me Now, Reflections
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: a Paul Chambers transcription of your choice. Minimum 32 measures, and do not exceed 5 minutes.

Drums

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Play behind the melody once, behind a soloist for a chorus, and solo for two choruses (you can play over the form alone or trade). Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed. Demonstrate brushes on at least one selection.

• a: Bebop:
  • Cheryl, Confirmation, Anthropology, Ornithology, Donna Lee
• b: Post-bop:
  • Dolphin Dance, One Finger Snap, Bolivia, Moment’s Notice, Inner Urge
• c: Latin jazz:
  • Con Alma, Spain, Armando’s Rhumba, Recordame, A Night in Tunisia
• d: Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.
• e: Advanced Snare Drum Etude (concert or rudimental) of your choice.

Voice

Perform one tune from each of the following categories with a backing track or live ensemble. Arrangements encouraged – use of odd time signatures and contrasting styles is welcomed.

• a: Bebop: Sing the melody a cappella once, solo for two choruses (your choice if supported by rhythm section).
  • Au Privave, Cheryl, Confirmation, Donna Lee
• b: Standard: Sing the melody once, solo for two choruses.
  •  Just Squeeze Me, Lullaby of Birdland, I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, On Green Dolphin Street
• c: Ballad: Sing melody once, solo for one and a half choruses, take the bridge out.
  • Chelsea Bridge, Prelude to a Kiss, Midnight Sun, You Don’t Know What Love Is
• d. Original composition or arrangement that demonstrates your interests: Do not exceed 6 minutes.