Auditions: Graduate/Certificate - Jazz Drumset/Vibraphone

​​​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Audition registration will be available after prescreen results are sent. Register for a live audition by January 15.

Prescreen Repertoire - Due Dec. 1 

​A prescreen is required for all applicants who list jazz drumset as their primary instrument.  Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. 

Please submit all of the following: 

• 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.

Audition Repertoire 

Note: applicants must provide own cymbals, sticks, and hi-hat clutch. On-campus audition requirements include the prescreen requirements as well as 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 tempi
• Samba styles
• Shuffle
• Funk

​​​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Audition registration will be available after prescreen results are sent. Register for a live audition by January 15.

Prescreen Repertoire - Due Dec. 1 

​A prescreen is required for all applicants who list jazz vibraphone as their primary instrument.  Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. 

• 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.

Audition Repertoire 

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.