Audition Guidelines for Admission
Applying to Eastman
Hints for auditioning students

 

Audition Guidelines for Admission
as a JCM Major

YOU MUST BE IN CONTACT WITH THE EASTMAN ADMISSIONS OFFICE AND COMPLETE AN ADMISSIONS APPLICATION. FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE FOLLOWING IS A SUPPLEMENT TO THOSE INSTRUCTIONS.

The JCM department offers a major in performance skills on the following instruments:

Trumpet
Saxophone
Trombone
Piano
Double Bass
Guitar
Drum Set

as well as a major in:

Writing Skills

Writing skills applicants must audition on and maintain proficiency on one of the above instruments.

Multi-instrumentalist applicants for the JCM department must select only one of the instruments listed above or writing skills as a major.

All auditioning students are expected to prepare for a classical audition on their major instrument in addition to the jazz audition, as well as aural skills and sight singing tests.

In most cases undergraduate trumpet, saxophone, trombone, piano, and bass students have applied lessons with an assigned classical teacher in their freshman and sophomore years, and with jazz faculty in their junior and senior years. Guitarists study secondary classical guitar for their first four semesters in addition to four years of applied jazz lessons. Drum set majors have applied jazz lessons for four years.

We are not able to accommodate the following instruments as JCM majors:

Electric Bass
Euphonium
French Horn
Harp
Organ and Electronic Keyboards
Percussion
Tuba
Vibraphone/Mallet instruments
Violin, Viola and Cello
Voice (Vocal Jazz)
Woodwinds other than Saxophone (although these may be studied as doubles)

Private jazz studio instruction is not available at ESM for the instruments/areas listed above, nor do adequate provisions and performance opportunities exist in small and large jazz ensembles for students with specialties in these areas.

 

Preliminary taped audition

All candidates for JCM degrees must first submit a preliminary audition recording with the completed Eastman and supplementary applications by Dec. 1 of the preceding year.

Preliminary Recording Specifications:

• Cassette or CD format
• 15-20 min. of music, with selections clearly labeled
• Recording must focus on the applicant and not supporting musicians
• 3-4 varied jazz selections
• emphasize improvisation (comp./arr. with scores for writing skills)
• Jazz faculty will review tapes by January 1
• Select candidates will be invited to ESM to make a live audition

LIVE ON-CAMPUS AUDITION FOR SELECT CANDIDATES
Candidates selected from the preliminary tape screening process will be invited to attend one of the designated Eastman audition days (usually on Fridays during February). Candidates are encouraged to attend classes, rehearsals, and performances surrounding their audition date.

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Each applicant plays a 15-minute audition for the jazz faculty, accompanied by an Eastman student rhythm section. Be prepared to perform 3-4 jazz selections in varied styles, and improvise on each of them. Applicants should plan to perform at least some material not heard on the preliminary audition recording. Original compositions and non-standard repertoire are acceptable as part of the audition, but keep in mind that the accompanying musicians will not have a chance to rehearse with you. Bring 3 photocopies of each selection in lead sheet form.

CLASSICAL AUDITION
Required of all jazz applicants (see guidelines on admissions web site). Classical auditions of jazz applicants will not be judged in competition with classical performance majors.

WRITING SKILLS APPLICANTS
Submit to Admissions Office (with application) representative scores and recordings of compositions and/or arrangements for any jazz medium. Writing applicants must perform jazz and classical auditions as described above.

BASSISTS
Although only acoustic double-bass players can be admitted, those who double on electric bass should bring both instruments to the audition. An amp will be provided.

DRUMMERS
Kit will be provided. Bring sticks, brushes, and cymbals (if desired) but keep in mind that time allows for only minor adjustments of the equipment. Plan on repertoire in trio format that emphasizes interactive playing. Be sure to bring lead sheets and/or accurate parts for your accompanying musicians.

GUITARISTS
Amp will be provided. You may choose to play with or without a pianist in the accompanying group.

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Applying to Eastman

 

Hints for Auditioning Students

Eastman's jazz audition process requires all applicants to submit a preliminary audition tape that comprises 3-4 selections or 20 minutes of music. Out of 100-150 jazz applications and tapes (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels), the jazz faculty invites roughly 40 finalists for live on-campus auditions in late January, February, and early March. The live audition is 15 minutes in length, and an Eastman student rhythm section accompanies the applicant. The applicant plays 3-4 tunes of his/her choice and should plan to perform at least some material not heard on the preliminary audition recording. At the end of the audition day, all of the jazz applicants (typically 8-12) meet collectively for one hour with the Eastman jazz faculty and perform additional music in an impromptu session. This also affords the opportunity for questions about various aspects of the program.

The Eastman jazz faculty recommends the following considerations for high school students planning to audition for the Eastman bachelor of music degree program in jazz studies and contemporary media (JCM):

STUDY WITH A JAZZ TEACHER DURING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS
Once you know that you want to pursue a jazz degree in college, work closely with your school music director or locate a private jazz instructor. Find a teacher who plays your respective instrument and can teach you jazz improvisation, theory, and aural training. Attend clinics and workshops; summer jazz camps are highly recommended.

ESTABLISH A DAILY JAZZ LISTENING REGIMEN
Expose yourself to the broadest spectrum of live performances and recordings by the masters. Increase your knowledge of jazz language and vocabulary by transcribing, studying, and playing important jazz solos.

DON'T IGNORE YOUR CLASSICAL STUDIES
A well-balanced high school music background will set the stage for a successful collegiate music school experience. Get a head start on general piano studies (if you are not a pianist) and an adequate introduction to music history and theory. Eastman requires both jazz and classical auditions for prospective jazz majors; jazz applicants with weak classical backgrounds or inadequately prepared classical audition components are often rejected.

COMPILE SOLID HIGH SCHOOL GRADES
Your transcripts and academic records will be carefully examined. Standardized test scores can also play significant roles in the process.

ASSEMBLE STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS
Knowing that you'll likely be with us for four years, we need to check you out musically and personally. We want to know what your major teachers think about your artistry, commitment, and character. Secure reference letters from people that know you best and can articulate your strengths to us in writing.

STUDY EASTMAN'S APPLICATION MATERIALS AND THE JCM WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Don't tie up admissions staff and jazz faculty with questions that can be answered by doing some simple research.

VISIT EASTMAN DURING YOUR JUNIOR YEAR OR ATTEND THE EASTMAN SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ STUDIES PROGRAM
Speak with admissions representatives and jazz faculty members to see if Eastman's JCM program is for you. Find out what your respective studio professor will want to hear in the audition process. Check out recordings and/or educational materials by faculty members. Get a sense of what Eastman is about before you audition for us in your senior year.

THOUGHTFULLY CHOOSE YOUR AUDITION REPERTOIRE
Select tunes that represent a varied mix of styles, display your musicianship, showcase your technical skills, and most importantly, demonstrate your improvisational prowess. Use care and imagination, and be sure to have clear lead sheets or parts for your accompanying musicians. We enjoy hearing original compositions, non-traditional material, and lesser-known jazz standards, but keep in mind that rehearsing with your accompanying musicians on the day of your audition is not possible. Pick a strong opening piece. Don't begin your audition by asking "So what do you want to hear?"

PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR YOUR AUDITION
Know the materials cold; commit melodies and chord changes to memory, and bring clear photocopies of your audition tunes for the accompanying musicians. Students attempting to "wing it" typically fall short.

FORMULATE MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INTERVIEWERS AND AUDITIONING FACULTY MEMBERS
Don't forget that you are essentially auditioning us, too. Probing questions help you get to know us better. Don't waste time with stock questions that are covered in the school's printed literature and website. And make certain that your major questions are answered before the audition experience is completed.

BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE YOUR MUSICAL INTERESTS AND ASPIRATIONS
We want to know what your influences have been and what paths you are hoping to travel as a jazz musician.

REMEMBER THAT EASTMAN'S LARGE POOL OF JAZZ APPLICANTS MEANS TOUGH DECISIONS FOR THE JAZZ FACULTY
Roughly 10% of Eastman jazz applicants are admitted to the program. We will do everything we can to make the experience fair, thorough, and comfortable, but inevitably, many outstanding candidates cannot be accepted.

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