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.
Prescreen Video Requirements - Materials due by January 6.
Each piece should be recorded in a single unedited take and uploaded as a single track. Performances with a live rhythm section are preferred, but recording yourself with pre-recorded backing tracks is also acceptable (tracks utilizing live musicians are preferred if possible). Videos do not need to be a professional studio recording, however, please ensure that you can be clearly seen and prominently heard on your video. Only the applicant should be featured (no solos by other instruments).
Please prepare the following (keys for repertoire are listed in concert pitch):
1) BLUES – Play the melody and improvise 3-4 choruses on "Billie’s Bounce" (Charlie Parker, key of F).
2) JAZZ STANDARD (medium tempo) – Play the melody and improvise 2 choruses on one of the following compositions: "Take The A Train" (C), "Autumn Leaves" (Gmin), "There Will Never Be Another You" (Eb), "Recorda Me" (Amin), "Scrapple From The Apple" (F), Oleo(Bb).
3) SCALES – Prepare the following scales. Keys listed are on your instrument (not in concert pitch).
a. Chromatic scale – played entire range of the saxophone (low Bb to high F/F#), ascending and descending (slurred)
b. Major scales – Keys of F, Db and E: played 2 octaves, ascending and descending
Live Audition Requirements
Applicants who pass the prescreen round will be invited to audition on campus.
Applicants must perform different repertoire than submitted on their prescreen video. Students are encouraged to bring their own play-alongs to the audition, though play-alongs can be provided on request (Jamey Aebersold tracks, YouTube accompaniment, etc.)
Please prepare the following (keys for repertoire are listed in concert pitch).
1) BLUES – Play the melody and improvise 4 choruses on one of the following tunes (from memory): Au Privave (F), Now’s the Time (F), Bloomdido (Bb), Tenor Madness (Bb), Perhaps (C), Sandu (Eb).
2) JAZZ STANDARD – Play the melody and improvise 2 choruses on one of the following tunes (from memory): On Green Dolphin Street (Eb), Confirmation (F), Take The A Train (C), All The Things You Are (Ab), Anthropology (Bb), There Will Never Be Another You (Eb), Have You Met Miss Jones (F), Recorda Me (A min), Dewey Square (Bb).
3) SCALES – be prepared to play the following at your quickest comfortable tempo:
a. Chromatic scale – played entire range of the saxophone (low Bb to high F/F#), ascending and descending (slurred)
b. Major scales – all 12 twelve keys, played ascending and descending (two octaves where possible)
4) SIGHT-READING – a sight-reading excerpt in the jazz style will be provided at the audition
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?