School of Music > Admission & Aid > Auditions > Undergraduate/Teacher Licensure > Trumpet

Auditions: Undergraduate - Trumpet

​Applicants pursuing ​Jazz Trumpet must submit a prescreen by January 6. ​​Classical applicants do not need to submit a prescreen.

For jazz applicants, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Jazz Trumpet drop-down box for audition requirements.

​​​​​​​​​Successful applicants will be assigned to the applied studios within the category (classical or jazz) for which they have auditioned. If an applicant w​ishes to study in both the jazz and classical studios they must apply for both programs. To do so, please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu​.

Please see the audition requirements below.

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.

Audition Repertoire

One etude of applicant's choice from Charlier, Brandt, Arban Characteristic Studies, or equivalent. 

One short standard solo piece (Enescu Legende or equivalent), or the first movement of a standard concerto or sonata of the applicant's choice (Arutunian, Haydn, Hummel, Hindemith, Kennan, or equivalent). No piccolo requirements for undergrad. 

Excerpts: Promenade from Pictures at an Exhibition, Ballerina Dance from Petrouchka, off-stage solo from 2nd movement of Pines of Rome.

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?​

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 REPERTOIRE - due by January 6.

Entire pre-screening video should be no more than 15 minutes in total. Performances with a “live” rhythm section are preferred, but play-along recordings are also acceptable. In either case, only the applicant should be featured (no solos by other instruments other than trumpet). Pre-screens can only be uploaded after the application has been submitted. 

1) Clarke Technical Studies For Cornet, Etude II (pg 9) mm=120+

2) Any three major scales, two-octaves, legato.

3) Three varied jazz selections in different styles (ballad, swing, straight-eighth note, etc) including the melody and improvisation choruses.

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

All keys and scales are listed in Concert Pitch
1. Blues(choose one from the following list)
Billie's Bounce, Byrdlike, Whims of Chambers (F), Blue Monk, Tenor Madness (Bb), Sandu (Eb)
 
2. Standard(choose one from the following list)
Autumn Leaves (Gmin), There Will Never Be Another You (F), Recordame (Amin), Triste (Bb), Just Friends (F or G), All the Things You Are(Ab), Evidence (Eb)
 
3. Rhythm Changes(choose one from the following list)
Oleo, Anthropology, Steplechase, Rhytmn-a-ning (Bb), Fungi Mamma, Chasing The Bird (F)
 
4. Ballad(choose one from the following list)
Body and Soul (Db), Embraceable You (Eb or F), You Don't Know What Love Is (Fmin), Never Let Me Go (Bb), Soul Eyes (Cmin)
 
5. Applicant's choice of an additional selection 
This could be an original composition, or a standard such as: Joy Spring, There Will Never Be Another You, Groovin' High, On Green Dolphin Street, Confirmation, Stella By Starlight, If I Were A Bell, Speak Low...

6. Lead trumpet (optional)
If you are interested in a focus of lead trumpet playing, please include:
- Three contrasting excerpts from the big band repertoire
- Ascending chromatic scale to your highest comfortable top of your range, with a fermata on that note

7. Classical Component
In addition to jazz répertoire, please be prepared to play a piece demonstrating your abilities in the classical style.
Movement II, Haydn Concerto For Trumpet or similar lyrical solo

8. Scales (starting notes are Bb transposed)8th notes @ 1/4 note = mm. 120 (ascending and descending)
2-octave Ab Major Scale
2-octave G Mixolydian
2-octave Bb dorian
2-octave B major

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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