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 trombone as their primary instrument. Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission.
- The following scales, legato, two octaves:
- Ab major
- C whole/half diminished
- Eb diminished whole tone.
- Four varied jazz selections in different styles (ballad, swing, straight-eighth note, etc) including the melody and improvisation choruses.
Audition Repertoire
- Prepare “Jazz Etude 65” from J. J. Johnson's Exercises and Etudes for the Jazz Instrumentalist.
- Prepare one composition from each category listed below. Applicants may use a play-along accompaniment. If desired, applicants may substitute comparable works in each category that demonstrate similar skill.
- Blues: Play the melody and improvise 4 choruses. Suggested tunes: “Relaxin’ at Camarillo” (C), “Bloomdido” ( Bb), “Straight, No Chaser” (F), “Freight Trane” (Ab), or similar.
- Jazz Standard (Up-Tempo): - Play the melody and improvise 2 choruses. Suggested tunes: Rhythm changes (“Moose the Mooche,” “Anthropology,” etc.), “I’ll Remember April,” “It's You or No One”, “Cherokee”, “Moment's Notice”, “Airegin”, or similar.
- Ballad: Play the melody and improvise 1 chorus. Suggested tunes: “Body & Soul”, “Skylark”, “Lament”, “Darn That Dream”, “Chelsea Bridge”, or similar.
- Transcription: play a self-made transcription along with the source recording. Transcription should be at least 64 measures long.
- Scales: Prepare two octaves of the following scales ascending and descending: C Chromatic, Ab Dorian, Bb Lydian dominant, C Diminished 1/2 step first.