Jazz Trombone Audition Requirements

Jazz Trombone Audition Requirements

Undergraduate requirements (BM, BME)

• Blues in F; Melody plus three improvised choruses – (choose one) “Billie’s Bounce” or “Now’s The Time”.

• Standard; Melody plus two improvised choruses – (choose one) “Autumn Leaves” (Gm); “Caravan” (Fm); “Satin Doll” (C); or “Oleo” (Bb “rhythm changes”).

Bordogni/Rochut – Melodious Etude #6.

• Scales – Major scales in all keys, 2 octaves when possible.

Undergraduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should follow the steps outlined here. All students who submit a recorded audition will have a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can select their date preference on their supplemental music form. 

Graduate requirements (MM)

• Blues in F; Melody plus three improvised choruses – “Blues For Alice” (Bird Blues).

• “Rhythm” changes in Bb; Melody plus two improvised choruses – “Anthropology”.

• Ballad; Melody plus one improvised chorus – “Body And Soul” (Db) or “Chelsea Bridge” (Db).

• Standard; Melody plus two improvised choruses – (choose one) “All The Things You Are” (Ab); “Stella By Starlight” (Bb); “Have You Met Miss Jones” (F); or “What Is This Thing Called Love” (C).

• Bordogni/Rochut – Melodious Etude #43.

• Scales – In All Keys (2 octaves): Major, Dorian, Lydian, Natural Minor (Aolean), Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Auxiliary Diminished “aka” Dominant Diminished (ascending half step – whole step), Whole Tone.

Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. Graduate applicants who submit a recorded audition will also register for a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can register for their interview after submitting the Graduate College application.​ 

Graduate requirements (DMA)

• Blues in C; Melody plus three improvised choruses – “Isotope”.

• “Rhythm” changes in Bb; Melody plus two improvised choruses – “Moose The Mooche”.

• Ballad; Melody plus one improvised chorus – (choose one) “Prelude To A Kiss” (C) or “Peace” (Horace Silver) (Bb).

• Standard; Melody plus two improvised choruses – (choose one) “Moment’s Notice” (Eb); “Inner Urge”; “Stablemates” (Db); or “Con Alma” (C).

• Thad Jones – “Tip Toe” from measure before “G” through downbeat of “J” (trombone section soli).

• Scales – In all keys (2 octaves – ascending and descending): Major and ALL modes; Melodic Minor; “Jazz” Minor (ascending form of melodic minor in both directions) and two modes of your choice (ex: altered or diminished/whole tone; mixolydian #4, lydian b7, etc.); Harmonic Minor; Diminished and Auxiliary Diminished (ascending whole step/half step and ascending half step/whole step ); whole tone.

Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application. Graduate applicants who submit a recorded audition will also register for a virtual interview with the faculty. Applicants can register for their interview after submitting the Graduate College application.​ 

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