WVU School of Music students interested in a major or minor in Jazz Studies will demonstrate their ability on their instrument based on the following requirements. Students interested in pursuing Music Education with a Jazz emphasis should also prepare for their audition based on the requirements below.
Jazz majors will receive weekly jazz improvisation lessons and will in addition take traditional instrumental lessons to develop fundamental skills. It is suggested that you bring the iReal Pro app or a play-a-long recording with you to the audition.
Saxophone
- Major scales are required and additional scales are encouraged (you may submit these with your audition videos, but may be asked to play again during your interview with the Jazz faculty)
- Demonstrate ability with at least two selections that include technical passages and/or improvisation. This could include a combination of the following:
- a solo transcription (such as a Charlie Parker or Hank Mobley transcription)
- a traditional etude (such as a Ferling etude) in any style
- a piece of jazz repertoire that requires technical ability (such as" Moose the Mooche," "Donna Lee," or "Eternal Triangle")
- Play the melody and improvise on a jazz standard ("There Will Never Be Another You," "Autumn Leaves," "It Could Happen to You," "Recorda-me," "All the Things You Are," "But Not for Me," "Blue Bossa," "All of Me," "Four," etc.)
- Play the melody of a standard blues tune ("Blue Monk," "Tenor Madness," "Bag's Groove," "Blues in a Closet") and improvise for several choruses
- Be ready to sight read
- If you have a specialty such as lead playing, prepare an excerpt that demonstrates your ability
Trumpet
Applicants are encouraged to showcase their versatility on the trumpet. Please prepare the following:
- One piece from the classical trumpet repertoire (i.e. a solo, etude or movement from a concerto or sonata) that demonstrates an understanding of classical trumpet tone, phrasing, and style.
- Major scales. Additional scales are encouraged if prepared. (you may submit these with your audition videos, but may be asked to play again during your interview with the Jazz faculty)
- Chromatic scale from lowest to highest notes.
- Solo transcription, or jazz etude (in swing, funk or Latin/salsa styles).
- Play the melody and improvise over one jazz standard and medium tempo blues of choice. Be prepared to improvise for several choruses.
- Possible jazz standards options (but not limited to these): There Will Never Be Another You, Autumn Leaves, It Could Happen to You, Recorda-me, All the Things You Are, But Not for Me, Blue Bossa, All of Me, Four etc.
- Applicants must provide their own accompaniment! Play-alongs or good quality accompaniment tracks are acceptable.
- Sight-Reading
- ( Optional but encouraged): Demonstrate lead playing ability by preparing two contrasting excerpts.
Feel free to reach out to Dr. Robert Sears ( robert.sears@mail.wvu.edu ) with any questions about musical selections.
Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombone
Applicants are encouraged to showcase their versatility on the trombone and use appropriate
stylistic effects (e.g. plunger mute). Please prepare the following:
- One piece from the classical trombone repertoire (i.e. a solo, etude or movement from a concerto or sonata) that demonstrates an understanding of classical trombone tone, phrasing, and style.
- Major scales. Additional scales are encouraged if prepared. (you may submit these with your audition videos, but may be asked to play again during your interview with the Jazz faculty)
- Chromatic scale from lowest to highest notes.
- Solo transcription, or jazz etude (in swing, funk or Latin/salsa styles).
- Play the melody and improvise over one jazz standard and medium tempo blues of choice. Be prepared to improvise for several choruses.
- Possible jazz standards options (but not limited to these): There Will Never Be Another You, Autumn Leaves, It Could Happen to You, All the Things You Are, Blue Bossa, All of Me, Four, On Green Dolphin Street, etc.
- Applicants must provide their own accompaniment! Play-alongs or good quality accompaniment tracks are acceptable.
- (Optional but encouraged): Demonstrate lead or bass playing ability by preparing two contrasting excerpts.
Feel free to reach out to Hakeem Bilal (
hakeem.bilal@mail.wvu.edu) with any questions about musical selections.
Bass – Electric or upright are acceptable for the audition with the understanding that upright proficiency is required before completion of the degree program.
- Play major scales with at least two fingerings for each scale (you may submit these with your audition videos, but may be asked to play again during your interview with the Jazz faculty)
- Perform a solo transcription or traditional etude
- Walk bass lines for 12 bar blues in at least three different keys at various tempi
- Demonstrate a bass line in a bossa nova or samba feel
- Improvise a walking bass on a jazz chord chart
- Be ready to sight read bass line charts
Percussion including drums, marimba, and vibes
- Play the melody to a tune of your choice on the drum set and improvise at least four choruses on the form of the tune
- Be able to alternate four bar phrases of time and filling in these styles:
- Swing
- Bossa nova
- Samba
- Be prepared to sight read a big band chart
- Marimba/vibes auditions will include scales and arpeggios in addition to etudes, standards, and jazz improvisation
Piano
- All 12 major scales are required and the ability to perform additional scales is encouraged
- Perform a solo transcription or a traditional etude in any style
- Be prepared to improvise and comp for several choruses on a medium tempo blues progression
- Play an unaccompanied ballad with a chorus of improvisation
- Perform a piece with a samba, bossa nova, or straight 8th feel
- Be able to demonstrate comping ability