Pre-Audition Screening Video Requirements - due by January 5.
The pre-audition screening requirement for prospective graduate Jazz Saxophone Performance students consists of the following elements:
I. REPERTOIRE – Prepare one composition from each category listed below. Applicants may use a live rhythm section or play-along accompaniment. If desired, applicants may substitute comparable works in each category that demonstrate similar skill.
- BLUES (medium tempo) – Play the melody and improvise 4 choruses. Suggested tunes: Cheryl (Charlie Parker), Some Other Blues (John Coltrane), Tenor Madness (Sonny Rollins), Freight Trane (John Coltrane), Sandu (Clifford Brown), etc.
- JAZZ STANDARD (up tempo) – Play the melody and improvise 2 choruses. Suggested tunes: rhythm changes (Oleo, Moose the Mooche, Ray's Idea, Eternal Triangle, etc.), Cherokee (Ray Noble), It's You or No One (Sammy Cahn), What Is This Thing Called Love (Cole Porter), Moment's Notice (John Coltrane), etc.
II. SCALES – Prepare the following scales/patterns ascending and descending, played the entire range of the saxophone (no altissimo). Keys listed are on your instrument (not concert pitch).
- Chromatic scale
- Modes of major scale (scale and in diatonic triads): B major, Ab mixolydian
Audition Requirements
**NOTE: Applicants must bring a play-along CD or music playing device (e.g. smartphone, tablet or laptop) with play-along tracks for the audition. An 1/8" stereo audio cable will be provided to plug into our audio system, but you will need to provide any adaptor to convert the output of your device to the provided audio cable.**
After pre-audition screening is completed, students invited for the next round of auditions prepare an audition consisting of the following elements:
I. REPERTOIRE - Prepare one composition from each category listed below. You must perform a different compositions than included on your video pre-screen audition. Applicants may use a live rhythm section or play-along accompaniment. If using a live rhythm section, the applicant should be the only soloist. If desired, applicants may substitute comparable works in each category that demonstrate similar skill.
- BLUES (medium tempo) - Play the melody and improvise 4 choruses. Suggested tunes: Cheryl (key of C), Bloomdido (key of Bb), Tenor Madness (key of Bb), Sandu (key of Eb), Blues for Alice (key of F), Some Other Blues (key of F), Freight Trane (key of Ab), etc.
- JAZZ STANDARD (up tempo) - Play the melody and improvise 2 choruses. Suggested tunes: Rhythm changes (Oleo, Moose the Mooche, Ray's Idea, Eternal Triangle, etc.), Cherokee, It's You or No One, What Is This Thing Called Love, Moment's Notice, Airegin, Stablemates, Donna Lee, etc.
- BALLAD - Play the melody and improvise 1 chorus. Suggested tunes: Body & Soul, 'Round Midnight, Skylark, Prelude to a Kiss, Darn That Dream, If You Could See Me Now, etc.
II. TRANSCRIPTION - play a self-made transcription along with the source recording. Transcription should be at least 32 bars in length (e.g. 1 chorus of a standard song form, or at least 3 choruses on a blues form). However, you are not limited to 32 bar forms or blues for your chosen transcription.
III. SCALES - Be prepared to play the following scales/patterns ascending and descending, played the entire range of the saxophone (no altissimo). Scales should be played at an even, brisk tempo.
- Chromatic scale
- Modes of major scale (all keys): scale, and in diatonic triads
- Melodic minor scales (all keys)
IV. SIGHT READING – be prepared to sight read the following
- Portions of a big band chart or jazz etude, with the use of a metronome.
- Melody and improvisation on a jazz standard from a Jamey Aebersold play-along series CD
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?