Auditions: Undergraduate - Jazz 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 vibraphone as their primary instrument.  Please review our Prescreen Information page carefully before submission. 

Using play-along accompaniment or in solo performance, applicants must perform the melody, play a chorus of accompaniment, and a chorus of improvisation (two choruses on “Billie’s Bounce”) for each selection below. 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.

  • Medium Tempo (quarter note = 108 – 132) “All The Things You Are”
  • Medium Up Tempo (quarter note = 138 – 168) “Billie’s Bounce”

Audition Repertoire 

Note: vibraphone will be provided.
On-campus audition requirements include the prescreen materials as well as the materials listed 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).

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 12-bar blues (“Au Privave” or “Straight, No Chaser”) and a jazz standard (“Star Eyes” or “Oleo”). For each, applicants should be able to play the melody, comp, and improvise on the chord changes.

Additionally, applicants should prepare the following materials:

• A prepared solo vibraphone selection (Friedman’s “Mirror from Another” or “Wind”) and a four mallet solo marimba selection (Peters’ “Yellow After the Rain”).

• Two octaves of scales and arpeggios through three sharps and three flats; harmonic minor, one sharp and one flat; chromatic scale.

Other skills assessed:

  • Chord solo approach on a standard jazz ballad (four-mallets)

  • Sight-reading of melody in the jazz style

  • Repertoire knowledge

Please note: If applicant is interested in formally studying drumset, the jazz vibraphone applicant must also prepare the jazz drumset audition requirements, including submission of jazz drumset prescreening materials. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu shortly after application submission if you are interested in pursuing both instruments.