School of Music > Admission & Aid > Auditions > Graduate/Certificate > Jazz Drumset/Vibraphone

Auditions: Graduate/Certificate - Jazz Drumset/Vibraphone

Jazz drumset is a pre-screened area. All graduate jazz drumset applicants are required to submit a pre-audition video recording by December 1. Applicants must first apply to the DePaul University School of Music. After submission of your online application, you may then upload your prescreening video under the "Edit Portfolio" section of your application portal. 

A video upload is the only acceptable format. All recordings received after December 1 will only be viewed and considered based on the availability of audition times and projected applied jazz drumset studio space. Upon successful passing of the prescreening process, you will receive a letter no later than 2-3 weeks after inviting you to schedule your live, on-campus audition using your Campus Connection username and password.

Pre-screening requirements

Applicants must submit the following videos using the online portal:

·      A performance of “Elvin Like”, from Thompson’s Jazz Solos for Drumset Volume 1

·      Play time in a 4/4 swing feel (half note = 96) for approximately 45 seconds.

·      Trade fours (4/4 swing followed by solo, repeated, half note = 110) for approximately 1 minute.

·      Play an Afro Cuban 6/8, dotted quarter note = 120 for 45 seconds.


Live audition requirements

​​We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person.  

  • Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Review list of audition dates by instrument here.
  • ​Recorded video auditions are available by request and must be submitted by February 1 to your Blue Demon Domain (for undergraduates) or your application portal (for graduates/post-masters), in the “edit portfolio" section. To enable the recorded audition submission, contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu. 

Note: applicants must provide own cymbals, sticks, and hi-hat clutch. On-campus audition requirements include the above and the following:

·      Prepared drumset solo (comparable to Tony Williams’ “Seven Steps to Heaven” or Vernell Fournier’s “Cherokee”). The applicant is required to bring a copy of the transcribed solo to the audition for panel review.

·      Solo performances of Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” and Miles Davis’ “Dig” (rhythmic and pitch/melodic contour, followed by a chorus of time, then one chorus of solo, then the melody)

·      Sight reading (large and small ensemble charts for advanced ensembles and chart interpretation)

·      Up tempo swing performance with brushes and sticks

·      Form identification (complex forms and/or jazz compositions) 

NOTE: The prospective graduate jazz drumset student may be required to demonstrate a familiarity with all requirements of the undergraduate jazz drumset audition with the addition of the following styles on the drumset:

Odd meter and mixed meter swing at a variety of tempos

Samba styles

Shuffle

Funk

 

Recorded Interview Questions (only applicable to those who select a recorded submission to audition)

​Please upload a video that is no longer than 2-3 minutes and responds to the below questions:

-       What is your musical background?

-       Why are you applying to DePaul?​

Jazz vibraphone is a pre screened area. All graduate jazz vibraphone applicants are required to submit a pre-audition video recording by December 1. Applicants must first apply to the DePaul University School of Music. After submission of your online application, you may then upload your prescreening video under the "Edit Portfolio" section of your application portal. 

A video upload is the only acceptable format. All recordings received after December 1 will only be viewed and considered based on the availability of audition times and projected applied jazz vibraphone studio space. Upon successful passing of the prescreening process, you will receive a letter no later than 2-3 weeks later inviting you to schedule the next round of auditions using your Campus Connection username and password. 

Prescreening Requirements

Applicants must submit the following videos using the online portal:

·      Medium Tempo (quarter note = 168)

“Little Niles”

·      Medium Up Tempo (quarter note = 190)

“Speedball”

Using play-along accompaniment or in solo performance, applicants must perform the melody, play a chorus of accompaniment, and then play three choruses of improvisation for each selection. You must also demonstrate use of dampening and pedaling techniques on melodies and improvised choruses. If possible, four-mallet accompaniment with chord inversions should be demonstrated during your chorus of comping.

 

Live audition requirements

​​We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person.  

  • Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Review list of audition dates by instrument here.
  • ​Recorded video auditions are available by request and must be submitted by February 1 to your Blue Demon Domain (for undergraduates) or your application portal (for graduates/post-masters), in the “edit portfolio" section. To enable the recorded audition submission, contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu. 

Note: vibraphone will be provided. On-campus audition requirements include the above and the materials below. Applicants must bring a play-along CD or music player with play-along tracks for the audition (iPod or similar, with headphone output jack).

Graduate jazz vibraphone applicants should be prepared to play along with a Jamey Aebersold recording or its equivalent for a 15-minute audition consisting of two contrasting jazz pieces (i.e. a jazz standard (“Hot House” or “Confirmation”) and a ballad (“If You Could See Me Now” or “Chelsea Bridge”). For each, applicants should be able to play the melody, comp, and improvise on the chord changes.

Other skills assessed:

Sight-reading of melody in the jazz style

Repertoire knowledge

NOTE: If interested in formally studying drumset, the jazz vibraphone applicant must also prepare the above jazz drumset audition requirements, including submission of jazz drumset prescreening materials.

 

Recorded Interview Questions (only applicable to those who select a recorded submission to audition)

Please upload a video that is no longer than 2-3 minutes and responds to the below questions:

- What is your musical background?

- Why are you applying to DePaul?

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