Pianists must first submit a prescreen recording. This recording must be sent by the application deadline of the term to which you are applying. If the prescreen recording is favorably reviewed, applicants must complete an audition either by coming to the school for a live audition, or by submitting an audition recording. The audition requirements are the same regardless of audition method.
Prescreen Evaluation Requirements
You may submit the prescreen recording either by uploading your tracks directly to the Office of Admission. If you cannot upload your tracks, we will accept a CD. (We do not accept minidiscs, cassettes, or video of any kind.) You may use either your own rhythm section or the pre-recorded accompaniment tracks that we provide. Please fulfill the following requirements:
- One unaccompanied chord/melody ballad, such as "Body and Soul."
- Two jazz standards, one of which should be medium/up (quarter note = 200), and the other at a tempo and style of your choice. Applicants must demonstrate comping skills in one of the songs.
If using the pre-recorded accompaniment, the applicant may choose two of the three following songs to fulfill the second requirement:
- "All Blues"
- "Straight No Chaser"
- "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise"
Audition Requirements
Pending a favorable prescreen evaluation, applicants must perform three jazz standards with a rhythm section provided by the school. Audition tunes must be different from the prescreen tunes.
- One up-tempo tune
- One ballad
- One blues tune
Applicants must demonstrate their instrument quality, range, articulation, and ability to play time. They must demonstrate their ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section.
Recorded Auditions
Applicants who pass the prescreen and are submitting an audition recording should include the same repetoire as is required for the live audition. Recorded auditions must be performed with a live rhythm section. Once the recording is complete, applicants should upload audition tracks directly to the Office of Admission. If you cannot upload your tracks you may send an audition CD. (We do not accept cassettes, minidiscs, VHS, DVD, or Video of any kind.) CDs must be clearly labeled with your name, instrument, and titles of the tunes you are performing.
