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.
On-campus audition dates can be found here. It is highly recommended that all undergraduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If you are unable to audition on-campus, please select the “recorded” audition format preference on your supplemental music form. Undergraduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should follow the steps outlined here.
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.
It is highly recommended that all graduate candidates attend an on-campus audition. If an applicant is unable to travel to campus for a live audition, the faculty will accept a recorded audition, and a virtual interview may occur. Graduate applicants who would like to submit a recorded audition should upload the audition directly to their Graduate College application.