General Directions:
Applicants must submit a video recording that meets the criteria listed below for each instrument category. A professional recording is not required but the best possible representation is encouraged. A YouTube type recording from a computer or quality phone device is sufficient.
Repertoire for the scholarship recording must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section, using a live band or play-along recording. Live concert performances are acceptable ONLY if they are edited to feature the applicant. Original compositions should not be included.
Please submit video auditions, which have been recorded on your phone. Upload your video to YouTube and email the YouTube link to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. AND This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Piano
Required pieces (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses). Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection.) Note: Please be sure to demonstrate "comping" behind a soloist on at least one of these selections.
Bass
Required pieces (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses). Perform three additional selections in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection). One of the additional selections must be a ballad. One improvised chorus will be sufficient for the ballad. Demonstrate at least four choruses of walking bass lines on Billie's Bounce and two choruses of appropriate bass lines on each additional stylistic selection.
Drum set and Hand Percussion
Required pieces (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo. Must include playing time for at least four choruses behind a soloist and at least two choruses of drum solo. Perform a medium tempo selection or a ballad demonstrating ability to perform with brushes. Perform two additional selections in different jazz styles, moods, and tempos. Each selection must include at least three choruses of playing time behind a soloist and at least two choruses of trading fours, eights, and/or soloing. Original compositions should not be included.
Jazz Guitar, Vibes
Required pieces (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses). Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection). Demonstrate "comping" on a standard song of your choice.
Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, all String Instruments
Required pieces (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie's Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses). Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods, keys, and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection).
Jazz Voice
Three required scales (must be first on the tape). Scales may be sung in any key, and must be one octave, ascending and descending, and sung with letters, syllables or on la;
- diatonic major scale
- harmonic minor scale
- whole tone scale
Standard ballad. First eight bars sung a cappella, then in a ballad tempo (accompanied).
Jazz standard (medium or up tempo). Perform two choruses, with the first 8 bars of the second chorus to be improvised, using either scat syllables or altering the melody by choosing notes that demonstrate an awareness of the harmony.
NOTE: standards should be selected from the songbooks of composers such as Gershwin, Ellington, Arlen, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Berlin, etc. Prepare two additional selections of contrasting nature.
