School of Music saxophone audition requirements vary based on which degree you are interested in pursuing.
Saxophone (BA, BS, BM Music Ed., BM Music Therapy, Music Comp., BM Music Performance)
- All major scales over the full range of the instrument
- Chromatic scale slurred over the full range of the instrument
- Two contrasting works from the standard solo repertoire. These can include entire pieces or individual movements from significant concerti or sonatas. One work may be a concert etude composed for the instrument.
Jazz Requirements (BM and minor)
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- 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